Sparkflight Studios

Pepsi's Refresh Project - Good Idea grant could have a local recipient in Greener Vegas .  Your vote can make the difference. Incorporated in 2007 by Zachary Delbex-Smith, the company works to enable business and educate community about the possibilities of repurposing reusable materials.  After years of working in the convention industry, Greener Vegas' founder became convinced that there was a way to keep much of the post-show debris out of the landfill. His vision has evolved into a business that diverts these resources into the hands of businesses, nonprofits, schools, theater groups, community programs, artists, and manufacturers. Over 50% of the $250,000 grant would go to staffing.  That's jobs for Las Vegans!   Here are the goals of " What’s Waste in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!" : Reduce the carbon foot-print of the convention industry. Divert reusable items into community, creating a closed loop system. Create sustainable “green” jobs for vets ...

After maintaining the LEED-AP* credential for several years now, Anne has taken the plunge to be LEED-AP with specialty: Building Design and Construction ( BD+C). What does this mean for our clients? Demonstration of current knowledge (LEED, best practice, green construction technology) Assurance of third-party oversight of LEED AP credential LEED AP point toward LEED Certification Doumented continuing education as required by Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) Per the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) website , "The LEED AP BD+C credential provides a standard for professionals participating in the design and construction phases of high-performance, healthful, durable, affordable and environmentally sound commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings . The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) created this specialty credential to denote practical knowledge of the Green Building Design + Construction LEED rating syst...

Design professionals and have been using Building Information Technology, or BIM, for several years now.  During pre-construction, these 3-dimensional and data models inform design by allowing for virtual walk-throughs with clients, coordination of structural-mechanical-electrical-plumbing systems, and 3D testing of details.  Solid physical models can even be built from these virtual models using 3D printing . Additionally, these models create data regarding quantities of components (e.g. building material quantities, or numbers of repeated room modules).  These models also support ecological design assessment, whether native to the software or via import into another program such as Ecotect .  Factors addressed include sun orientation, fenestration, carbon footprint, water usage and more.  Read more about current eco design software here ... Contractors are finding the BIM process useful for site logistics, quantity take-offs, 3D Request for Informat...

GoingGreen.com presents Green Your Home Workshop this Saturday May 1 from 10-11am at the Habitat for Humanity green prototype home.  Click here for more information. Green Drinks National Webcast about Sustainable Food is Wednesday May 12. Click here for more information. Green Drinks Las Vegas is Thursday May 13 6-7:30pm at Sun Cat Skylights. Click here for more information.

Although the NV Energy rebate window for photovoltaics (PV) has closed*, Southern Nevada residents can still pursue green energy generation through wind power.  Local codes are still evolving to encourage residential and large-scale wind power installations.  Use the In My Backyard (IMBY) tool to estimate how much power your property can produce with PV or wind turbines.  Then contact a licensed contractor for more information.   Be aware that there are local ordinances governing the installation of wind turbines.  For example, in the City of Las Vegas, “small wind energy systems” are only allowed in certain residential districts zoned R-A, R-E and R-D and up to 100kW.  Check out Wind Power Nevada for some more background on current state and local laws. WindGenerations and HydroGenerations are still accepting applications.  NV Energy is also now accepting more options for wind generators.  See their website for a listing of accepte...

Happy 40th Anniversary of Earth Day!  Every April 22 since 1970, Earth Day creates awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.    Facts & Tips Earth Day Network Earth Day Rap with DJ Biz Markie About.com Local Events GreenFest at GVR, Sat 24 10am-5pm Green Solutions Expo at South Point, Sat 24 10am-7pm & Sun 25 10am-6pm Earth Fair 2010 by Wal-Mart 10am-1pm, three locations Search for more at Earth Day Network Take Action Global Local: 1Sky Rally Thurs 22 2pm, Green Jackson Avenue Block Party Thurs 22 11am-6pm

Our firm is pleased to announce Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification with the Nevada Unified Certification Program.  Our number is NV01238UCPN.  This follows an application and vetting process administered by NDOT. This new status allows Anne Johnson, AIA to use the DBE certification to bid as a prime or subcontractor on projects with the Nevada Unified Certification Program (UCP).  The Nevada UCP is comprised of the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Commissions (RTC) for Washoe and Clark Counties and the Reno/Tahoe and McCarran Airports. This latest certification is in addition to our self-certified status as a woman owned business with the Federal Government's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA).  [8/2012 update: CCR & ORCA have migrated to www.SAM.gov .  Enter CAGE code 5NN25 (AJA) 8DPZ1 (SFS)] Let us know how we can partner with ...

Yes, gardening can be even greener.  Maintaining a garden is a sustainable idea by itself:  Grow what you eat; travel a few steps to pick out dinner; connect with the food cycle.  Whether container gardening on a patio, or a raised bed in the backyard, growing your own food sustainably is achievable. A few trends from MyGardenGuide.com for a more sustainable garden follow: Lifecycle and Environmental Impact - How much energy was consumed in a plant or product's transportation and if any recycled materials were used?   How much water was used in the production of a product?  What kinds of chemicals are used and how do they affect the soil, air and water? Water-wise Landscapes - Use drought-tolerant plants, and install drip irrigation systems instead of using conventional watering techniques.  Visit Springs Preserve for ideas. Plants for Wellness - Garden for the betterment of mental health, nutrition or fitness.   Mixing it Up - M...

Article by Anne exploring current trends in green building, commercial retrofits, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funding, Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification: "Real estate and construction markets are experiencing a growing interconnection of green building and our economy. “Show me the money!” now requires a green edge. The United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) “Green Jobs Study” projects over 7.9 million jobs and $396 billion in labor earnings from green construction for 2009 through 2013. This is encouraging for our national and regional economic recovery...Recent studies and our own hands-on experience identify the following trends for 2010 and beyond: • Green building growth led by existing building operations and tenant improvements • Increased renewable energy production and energy conservation retrofits with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ...

1 hour without lights at 8:30PM. It's that simple. All around the world. Global site: http://m.earthhour.org/ Some fun facts about Earth Hour: Http://ow.ly/1rmYd

The Las Vegas Ward 5 Chamber of Commerce & Green Talk Radio will be celebrating Women's History Month by acknowledging women who have made significant strides in the green economy. To check out these dynamic women see the upcoming "green" edition of the Las Vegas Uptown News. Honorees will be announced on March 18, 2010, 12:30 p.m. at La Scala's Restaurant during Green Talk Radio's "Lunch and Learn." UPDATE...the honorees are: Richann Bender - Exec Dir California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission Anne M. Johnson - Architect Rosalind Brooks - Tonopah Community Garden Cindy Ortega - Sr VP MGM Mirage Energy and Environmental Services Division Emily Covelli - DECOLights Emily Huffman - Energy Educator for NV Energy Betty Wolfe - Wolfe Drop Box Services Su Phelps- Lakewood Recycling Julie Johnson - Employer Resource Specialist, Las Vegas Clark County Urban League

GoingGreen.com, G-Force and the City of Las Vegas are cleaning up the 18b Las Vegas Arts District on Saturday, March 6. Have fun, learn about new ways to go green, and make a difference in our city: Registration 9:30-10:00AM Clean Up 10:00AM - noon Presentation & Food noon-1PM For more info call (702) 813-1435, or click GoingGreen.com

Tip from Earth Friendly Living section at Primrose Magazine : "Now through January 15, you can recycle your Christmas Tree at Springs Preserve.  You can give our community a gift while doing your holiday cleaning.  Visit one of over 20 drop sites, or make time to visit a great Las Vegas attraction by going to Springs Preserve.  Call (702) 822-7700 for locations , or visit www.springspreserve.org ." More...