Green Living in Marin 
Green ideas, tips and information on sustainable, eco-friendly living in Marin County, California.
There are currently 40 blog entries related to this category.
Alternative heating for Eichler's whose radiant system has failed
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 at 6:44am. 209 Views, 0 Comments.
Over fifty years later, Joseph Eichler's iconic mid-century modern homes are still as popular as ever and San Rafael (Terra Linda and Lucas Valley), is full of them. I have had the good fortune to live in one for the last eight years. I love the floor to ceiling windows, feasibility of one level living, indoor outdoor lifestyle and up until a year ago my fabulous radiant heat. Radiant heat, a classic element in Eichler's building style, is a marvelous heating system that allows hot water to flow through pipes imbedded in the concrete slab and then radiate out to create a most wonderful warm home. But what happens if the 50 year plus system fails? The copper pipe systems seem to repair well, however mine was not made with copper pipes and it needed…
Chaat Lotus & Spices Rivals Sol Foods for Delicious, Inexpensive Dining in San Rafael
Sunday, November 6th, 2011 at 10:48am. 134 Views, 0 Comments.
Earlier this week on a balmy fall evening, my husband and I walked the hills above San Rafael on our way to dinner on Fourth Street. The beauty of living in the West End Neighborhood is the proximity to downtown San Rafael and San Anselmo.
Our walk took us up Spring Grove where we took a trail that landed us on Upper Toyon in Kentfield and a beautiful sunset over Mt. Tam, then meandered down another trail to Gerstle Park and from there to downtown. We were hungry but not in the white table cloth dining sort of way. We were in the mood for something more casual, less expensive, where we could have a glass of wine, sit outside and enjoy the last of the warm evenings.
We ended up at Chaat Lotus and Spices at the West End of…
San Rafael Resident with a Lifetime of Stories
Friday, October 21st, 2011 at 8:11am. 181 Views, 2 Comments.
If you're looking for a guide to the West End and San Rafael or a personal history of the Great Depression and World War Two, or maybe a unique garden tour, a musical evening, just the right screw for that broken door hinge or perhaps just some fatherly advice, then all roads should lead you to Stan Kosta's home on a quiet cul-de-sac above the Miracle Mile.
Stan, who turned 93 last year, has lived in his two-bedroom house since he bought it for $10,000 in 1948, bargaining with the builder as its wooden frame was being erected on a hilltop above the Miracle Mile. It had a wonderful panorama of San Rafael and the bay to the East, and Mount Tam, San Anselmo and Bald Mountain - when it really was bald and not covered in greenery - to the…
Public Storage Options in Marin County
Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 8:35am. 255 Views, 1 Comments.
Perhaps you are preparing to move to another home locally or across the country. Maybe you are about to embark on a major remodel of your home and need to move much of your belongings out for a fixed period of time. Another scenario finds you getting ready to sell your home. You've selected a realtor, met with the stager and you need to make way for some important staging and accessorizing of your main living areas. Your garage is already packed to the gills so what exactly are your options?
The public storage options in Marin County are varied, flexible and quite affordable. They are designed to meet every conceivable need whether you've already identified it or are still trying to sort it all out. The important…
Friday Food Truck Crush at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal
Saturday, September 17th, 2011 at 12:57pm. 352 Views, 0 Comments.
Since mid-May, Larkspur Ferry commuters have been enjoying the Friday "Food Truck Crush" from 4 to 8 p.m. each week. This pilot program is coordinated by Marin County-based Ready Set Entertainment, Inc. and will come to an end at the end of this month. Thankfully, there is a recommendation pending before the Golden Gate Transit District to establish a long-term program beginning next spring. A concept that has its' true genesis in Portland where gourmet food trucks and carts have taken up permanent residence in large parking lots throughout the city, this is Marin's first foray into the world of gourmet food that is fast, fresh and outrageously delicious!
The truck line-up includes Asian Fusion, Peruvian sandwiches, Cajun, Mid-west style…
Sustainable Marin! EcoFair Marin this Sunday, 9/4/11
Thursday, September 1st, 2011 at 10:07pm. 297 Views, 0 Comments.
This weekend EcoFair Marin is being held on Sunday, September 4th from 10am-7pm at the Marin County Fairgrounds.
Exhibitors include everything from green housing, conservation, urban farming and living a greener lifestyle.
Sampling of demonstration topics:
- Learn how to save water inside and outside your home
- How to build and maintain a School Garden
- Sustainable farming
- Social Media for social good
- Marin Agricultural Land Trust
- How to raise chickens
- Sustainable cooking
- Green home products
And much much more...
There are so many amazing speakers at this event. Check out the event schedule for more details.
Tickets: $5 General Admission. Kids under 17 are FREE!
Transportation options: Spare the air and ride your bike.…
Curbside composting in Marin County: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How!
Monday, August 29th, 2011 at 3:15pm. 317 Views, 1 Comments.
This is a brief overview of why curbside composting is so important, how to do it right and who can participate in it.
WHO: First off there are several major refuse service providers in Marin County. Each one, except Bay City Refuse in Sausalito, has implemented a curbside composting service and each has their own rules as to what they accept. Links to their composting policies are provided in bold. Weekly curbside pick-up is available for single-family homes in residential areas from the following providers.
Marin Sanitary Service provides for San Rafael, Kentfield, Ross, Larkspur, Terra Linda, Lucas Valley, Marinwood, Fairfax and San Anselmo.
Mill Valley Refuse provides for Mill Valley, Corte Madera and Belvedere
Redwood Empire provides for…
Marin Green Real Estate - Green business certified Realtors in Marin!
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011 at 9:27pm. 430 Views, 0 Comments.
I'm excited to announce that Marin Modern Real Estate has just become the first San Rafael-based real estate brokerage firm to earn the distinguished green business designation from The Bay Area Green Business Program.
As many of our real estate clients and colleagues know, the traditional method of practicing real estate generates a lot of waste which burdens the environment, consumers and even real estate agents. Our company and agents have long recognized these inefficiencies and have consistently taken steps to practice real estate in a more efficient and eco-centric manner. These steps include very early adoption and use of electronic signatures and paperless faxes to minimize the amount of paper generated with…
Treat your modern mutt to a new home!
Monday, August 1st, 2011 at 1:46am. 231 Views, 0 Comments.
How about a little Bauhaus for your bow-wow?
These canine cabanas are just the coolest house in town for your four-legged friends. They come with a ready to plant Living Rooftop too - how fabulous is that?!
The Dog Cabana also comes with a fully finished exterior, FSC certified lumber construction, non-toxic paints and finishes, and can be assembled for free if picking up within the San Francisco Bay Area. It's a bonus to support a local company too!
Cost: $650 with free shipping in the Continental U.S.
Modern Cabana is a local company with a great manifesto. They focus on simple, well-designed, sustainable and cost-effective cabanas. www.moderncabana.com Custom designs are available too.
Marin Energy Home Audit - California REALTOR rebate
Saturday, July 30th, 2011 at 10:45am. 568 Views, 0 Comments.
In recent years, it has become more and more popular in Marin County for Buyers to consider an energy home audit before or shortly after purchasing a home. The California Association of REALTORS (CAR) has made an effort to encourage Buyers to know more about potential energy efficiency improvements by offering a rebate to qualified home purchasers of the costs up to $250 for conducting an energy home audit. This rebate offered through the REALTOR's Energy Audit Program. Details can be found at www.carhaf.org.
As part of the purchase process, home buyers learn many details about the condition of the home. CAR wants to encourage Buyers to add energy efficiency information to their knowledge base.
These audits give valuable information such as which…