Here are fourteen new additions to the Local Guide – Give ‘em some love!

• Avani Concepts – sustainable building and concrete
• Eco-Deco – eco-friendly paints & flooring
• WOK – World Oriental Kitchen – sustainable dining
• The Dust Bunnies – local green cleaning
• Earth Friendly Landscapes – sustainable landscaping
• MUSC Farmers Market – downtown local food
• Green Street Logistics – eco-friendly delivery services
• Healthy Home Foods – green food delivered to your door
• Stubbs, Muldrow, Herin Architects – LEED certified
• Charleston Waterkeeper Blog – protecting your water
• Little Fish Blog – local green thoughts
• bluesphere: Earth Art Expo – sustainable local art
• The Lap Log – eco-friendly iPad accessories
• Biohabitats – ecological restoration

If your organization or business should be on our guide, just let us know.

The Green Business Challenge will help local businesses, property owners, and residents focus on sustainability and become more energy efficient. This pilot program will kick off later this year, and they are asking interested parties to sign up soon (technically by January 21, but I’m sure they’d budge on that deadline a little). The competition format will benchmark local businesses and conclude with awards handed out by Mayor Joe Riley. This is a great chance to green up your business AND get a little recognition. Details after the jump >>

The Green Business Challenge is a voluntary friendly competition that takes participants through a process of benchmarking the energy use of a building using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. It also helps them pursue a variety of conservation and efficiency opportunities over the course of a one-year program.  The program concludes with an evaluation of participant progress towards goals, and successful achievers will be publicly recognized by Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

The Green Business Challenge is a partnership with the City of Charleston. It is a free assistance program that will not result in any penalty should you begin but later decide you no longer wish to participate. The City is seeking interest from local commercial property managers, business owners, and office tenants to participate in a pilot demonstration program. Your participation in the Green Business Challenge will result in reduced operation costs as well as the amount of pollution and waste generated from your property and/or business.

We ask that if you are interested in the program, or simply wish to support the idea of creating this program, that you return a letter of interest and/or support to Brian Sheehan, Director of Sustainability, 75 Calhoun, Charleston SC 29401 or e-mail a copy to sheehanbp@ci.charleston.sc.us, no later than close of business on Thursday, January 21, 2010.  We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you in the Green Business Challenge.

Good luck everyone!

Here are six new additions to the Local Guide – Give ‘em some love!

• Artisan Clay Interiors & Painting – all-natural sustainable walls
  
• EcoBilt Energy Systems – residential and commercial alt energy
• GreenBy3 – sustainability consulting for businesses
• Green Roof Outfitters – sustainable roofing
  
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Mount Pleasant – LEED!
  
• Sustainable Energy Solutions – clean energy technology
  

If your organization or business should be on our guide, just let us know.

This baby toy from Vulli would be a great gift for that green rug rat in your life, especially if they are teething. Sophie the Giraffe, as she has been known since 1961, is produced manually in France with 100% natural rubber derived from the hevea tree. Our 10-month-old girl definitely found it soothing, and was excited when it would squeak from time to time. You can definitely tell the rubber is natural, as it has a soft, almost moist feel to it. As an added bonus, it came in sustainable packaging. Green-wise, the only problem I see here is that it is imported all the way from France.

If you’re interested, head over to DwellSmart (map) or purchase online.

Note: For the next couple weeks, we will be reviewing products that would make good gifts for the greenie in your life. Our friend Mary Gatch, owner of DwellSmart and local green goddess, provided this product free of charge to our family for review on this website.

1. Exhibitors – There are well over 100 exhibitors to check out, including green builders, food providers, nonprofits, transportation, and energy solutions.
2. It’s FREE – There are no doors to Marion Square, so come on down.
3. The KidZone – Inspiring our kids to be more sustainable is an important part of the solution, and there will be plenty of cool activities in the KidZone.
4. Live Music – Check out headliner Jesse Colin Young on the main stage, which is sponsored by the fabulous Coastal Conservation League.
5. Speaker Tent – The learning never stops, so check out the speaker tent for a wide array of sustainability-focused presentations.
6. Nonprofit Education Tent – Come check out all the local dogooders (including us!) that are making a difference in our community.
7. Sustainable Seafood Cooking Contest – Watch as local chefs are challenged to create tasty meals using local and sustainable ingredients that you get to sample.
8. Inspiration – Sometimes it feels like you’re the only one trying to make a difference. It’s not true, and the Green Fair will inspire you to continue your efforts.
9. You Can Meet Us – OK, maybe not a can’t miss reason, but we can’t wait to meet YOU!

The Charleston Green Fair kicks off at noon on Sunday, September 27.

My friend Chris dropped off an organic cotton t-shirt from Cool Green Fish, and our son Graham really digs it. It’s super soft, just his size, and he got to break it in while fishing with Grandpa. So if you’re into rockin’ it organically, and like to support local business at the same time, be sure to visit Cool Green Fish and look around.

Here are the 14 new additions to the Local Guide – Give ‘em some love!

• Charleston Parks Conservancy – Nonprofit taking care of your parks.
  
• Charleston Park Angels – Charleston Parks Conservancy blog.
  
• Cool Green Fish – Really cool local organic clothes.
• Conservation Voters of SC – Get involved with local green advocacy
  
• Daniel Island Mortgage - Local provider of myEnergyLoan
• Solar Energy Solutions – High quality solar products
  
• Pleasant Details Waterless Division – Eco-friendly vehicle washing
  
• Green Echo – Green consulting and design
  
• The Energy Detective – Local product that can help you save energy.
  
• SC Clean Energy Solutions – Natural energy for clean living
  
• Lowcountry Green Cleaning Services – All natural commercial cleaning
  
• Executive Kitchens – Eco-friendly cabinetry by Executive Kitchens
• Urban Edge Studios – Sustainable community design
  
• Tricycles and Trees – Natural toys, natural living

If your organization or business should be on our guide, just let us know.

Jacki Baer is the founder – I wouldn’t guess her age, but I would guess she has the energy of a woman in her thirties. Jacki is passionate and meticulous. Zoe and I loved getting to know her and her organization. To witness her informing inquiring patrons that Fields for Families delivered over 80,000 pounds of fresh produce to the needy was truly inspiring.

There are many volunteer opportunities available, from gleaning the fields with your kids, to chatting about their cause with friends. This Tuesday, June 30, Whole Foods is donating 5% of their total sales for that day to Fields to Families. Stop by the booths at local farmer’s markets too, check their blog often, and take notice of this non-profit, I hope it grows (I couldn’t resist.)

Hope to see you in the fields!

Come down to the 10% Shift Launch Party on July 10th at the Navy Yard at Noisette to begin the shift. Great food will be on hand, info on how to buy locally, and the cost to get in is only 10 cents!