Fifth SAGE Meeting

I write this as I look out at a sunny day, and it makes me anxious to get out into the yard to start raking and planning my garden. Ron's Berezan's talk last night on the Edible City was very inspiring. Everyone I talked to got great value from Ron's presentation and I'm sure they were inspired and educated as I was. Thanks to all who attended! We had about 50 people out and we were happy to see so many new faces!

If you missed Ron's talk last night - you can find out more about him and the variety of workshops he offers at his website http://www.theurbanfarmer.ca/

On another note, we've redone the website a bit - what do you think about the new logo? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to send us an email.

We are also moving along with the task of formalizing the SAGE group. We've chosen a steering committee and will be having a meeting soon to discuss all the things a "real" group like this should be doing. Once things are confirmed, we will let you know who our steering committee is and our plans for the future. There are lots of exciting things in the works!!!

Our meetings for April are finished, but May is coming soon and so are the next meetings.

Community Meeting
May 1, 2008 @ 7 - 9:30pm Village Lifestyles (10429 - 79 Ave)
Harold Verburg of Trimline Design Centre presents:

“Alternative Energy Options” - Eco-solar tour

Trimline Design Centre began over 5 years ago to offer you the newest in Renewable Energy Solutions and products. These include solar hot water systems for domestic hot water and space heating, wind turbines systems for producing electricity, solar PV systems for producing electricity, personal biodiesel processors for making your own biodiesel from cooking oil, and grey water recycling systems to recycle at least 30% of your household water.

We manufacturer our Integral Drainback Flat Plate Collectors and Data Logging Solar Controllers here in Edmonton and have developed other products such as the Integral Drainback/Storage Tank which we have manufactured in Canada also. A truely made in Canada solution.

Increasingly, the biggest job has been to educate our clients about the technology, and demand for this technology is escalating. In response to this need, we have opened the Trimline Training Centre, a state of the art facility showcasing renewable technologies with hands-on training. We offer courses every month, year around, to accommodate the high level of interest in the emerging awareness of the various technologies. So if you are not afraid of getting your hands dirty, stop by and take a course or two.


Business Meeting
May 6, 2008 @ 10am - 12pm Village Lifestyles (10429 - 79 Ave)

Occasionally at our 'Growing your Green Business' meetings we'll do profiles of successful local green businesses. The meeting is not for them to come in and plug their product or service. It's to discuss their journey as an entrepreneur - what mistakes they've made, what lessons they've learned, what works and what doesn't work for them in growing their business. We think it's incredibly important that we come together to share our stories and learn from each other.

The format will be: 5-10 minutes of presentations about what their company does. Then 10-15 minutes for the moderator to ask them a series of focused questions. The final 35-40 minutes there will be the opportunity for the group to ask them questions.

Guest Entrepreneurs:

Stephani Carter of EcoAmmo and Green Alberta

Stephani Carter is a LEED® Accredited professional. She graduated from NAIT Interior Design Technology with honours in 2001 and has been very pleased to be able to return for the past four years to lecture to the graduating class on sustainable design and products and materials. Stephani worked for a couple design firms in Edmonton including Manasc Isaac Architects where she lead their “Green Interior Design Department”. Stephani was actively involved with creating the Alberta Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council in 2003 and has remained on the board ever since. She currently holds the roles of Vice President and Edmonton Program Committee Chair. Stephani is a self proclaimed "volunteer-aholic" and also volunteers for the Riverdale Net Zero Healthy Home, Clean Air Strategic Alliance - Indoor Air Quality Team , and she recently joined the steering committee for "S.A.G.E" (Socially-conscious, Alternative, Green Edmontonians) Network . (HURRAY!!)

Ross Goodine of Prairie Dawn

Ross Goodine is an entrepreneur and Systems Constellation facilitator who assists individuals and businesses in releasing barriers to their potential.

Ross founded Hidden Dynamics Consulting in 2006 and specializes in working with clients wanting to grow to a higher level in their life, career or business.

Prior to starting Hidden Dynamics, Ross founded Prairie Dawn Natural Body Products Ltd. in 1998 and currently serves as President. Ross developed and launched Prairie Dawn Natural Lip Balm, which was a Finalist in the Canadian Grand Pr ix New Product Awards in 2004, competing with industry giants like Proctor and Gamble.

Ross has been featured in Alberta Venture magazine and has been interviewed on CBC radio.


We hope to see you at the next meetings!

Maureen and Tad