GA's March Business Meeting Chock Full of Fresh Faces

Last night's monthly GA business meeting was held at Kittery Estates, and drew faces old and new alike into the fray for a productive and encouraging session. New members -- some of whom were in attendance, but all of whom were mentioned -- included: The River, Minute Men Painters, Seacoast Asset Management, Crescent Plowing, Zev Yoga, Scarponi Electric, Indoor Ascent Climbing Gym, Ridgeview Construction, Jenaly Technology Group, The Green Tee, Wade Landscaping, Robert’s Maine Grille, Bob’s Clam Hut, and Now or Never Media.

The first presenters were Bill Rogers and Melissa Paly of Now or Never Media of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This dynamic new media service specializes in short (generally less than 10 minute) clips featuring stories about climate change which have aired on television and on the web extensively over the past few years. Along with showing a few examples of their work, the folks at Now or Never provided helpful and exciting offers, both to customer's interested in providing their own clips, as well as businesses eager to promote their green credentials to individuals across the Seacoast.

Next to Present was Bob Minicucci of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). who presented and provided and overview of his department's "Making Your Business Greener" workbook. This helpful guide aims to communicate the goals of NHDES compliance, as well as the "challenges, sticks and carrots" available to businesses looking to become greener. Minicucci stressed that most GA business partners would easily qualify, and inevitably provide a strong lead for other state businesses and individuals to follow.

Finally, Elise and Megan of Pixels and Pulp Design Studio -- a Seacoast area advertising / web development firm and GA member -- presented their exclusive sneak preview of the GA's new website, slated to go public in the coming weeks. The new site marks a paradigm shift for the GA, as new user-friendly designs, revamped content and spaces tailored to each individual business will meet the demands of ever-increasing consumer and business partner bases.

The meeting ended with GA director Sarah Brown announcing some exciting upcoming events.

To read more about new GA business partners, upcoming events, or to learn more about how to become a member yourself or subscribe to our newsletter, check out the GA's website by clicking here!

Another Great Turnout for Green Drinks; A Look Ahead to Next Month

While not exactly topping February's Brewery blowout -- a joint effort between Green Drinks and the GA that drew over 100 eager ears to the basement of Portsmouth's favorite brewpub -- last night's gathering at 2 Ceres street (nextdoor to Poco's on the decks) still managed to draw a sizable crowd of 30 or so local greenies and business representitives.


This month's featured Green Speaker was Hillary Gaynor, a local "Green Realtor". What makes a realtor green? According to Gaynor, a number of things, most of which revolve around educating her clients, be they buyers or sellers, on how to make their home more appealing, mainly in terms of energy efficiency, design, etc, particularly in the midst of an increasingly difficult housing market.


For those of you who were there -- and for those of you too caught up in the arrival of spring to have made it -- next month's gathering offers two GA members at the forefront of green building on the Secoast: Chirs Redman of Little Green Homes, and Shane Carter of Ridgeview Construction. Both will be speaking about the benefits -- both long term and, given the availiability of federal tax dollars for green and energy-efficient investments, financial and immedate as well -- of green home construction.



The event, as usual, will be held at 2 Ceres street, and will start promptly at 6pm... the speaking part, that is -- the drinking part starts whenever you get there!

GA's Piece in BusinessNH Magazine!

Thanks to the folks at BusinessNH Magazine, you can now read their March issue's feature on the Green Alliance by clicking here.

Pick up your own copy of BusinessNH Magazine at your local news stand today!

GA Featured in Latest Business NH Magazine

Hot off the presses, check out the March issue of BusinessNH Magazine, as they feature the Green Alliance in their annual Green Guide. The bad news is that the article is only available in print form. The good news is that BusinessNH is available at most major newsstands on the Seacoast.

Stratham to Host Winter's Final Farmer's Market... Define "Winter"...

This Saturday will mark the Seacoast's last official farmer's market before the summer market season officially kicks off the first weekend in May in downtown Portsmouth (that is, of course, assuming it's stopped snowing by then). Despite the expected frigid temperatures, this weekend's gathering in Stratham promises to offer the best in local seafood, poultry, and even some hidden veggie gems that have been hiding away in local greenhouses.

Of course, the Green Alliance will be there, handing out fliers and talking to community members -- generally accosting anyone who will listen and telling them about our incredible growth these first seven months, and the myriad goals we have to celebrate our fast-approaching one year anniversary in July.

Volunteers are still needed to help with a variety of tasks -- unloading, handing out calendars, etc. To inquire further, email info@seacoasteatlocal.com

Some of the farms and distributors that will be on hand this Saturday in Stratham:

Abigail's Bakery*
Anderson's Mini Maples
Appledore Cove
Back River Farm
Be Sweet Cookie Dough
Brookford Farm*
Divine Cuisines
45 Market Street Bakery
Heron Pond Farm
Kellie Brook Farm
Lasting Legacy Farm
Meadow's Mirth*
New Roots Farm*
Newfields' Own Produce
Outlaw Farm
Riverslea Farm
Sugarmomma's
Maple Farm
Sustainable Farm Products/Nelson Farms
Velvet Pastures Elk Ranch
White Heron Tea*
Yankee Fishermens' Coop
Yellow House Farm

* certified organic!

The GA Has a Crush On YOU: February Newsletter Highlights Members Old and New Alike, Makes For Passable Valentine

As many of you already know, the GA's Frebruary newsletter has been sent out. It was the first for many of our new members (including everyone at Cornerstone!), the sixth -- and dare I say best -- installment for those of you around since last July's humble beginnings, and, for still others, perhaps, a half-way decent -- though belated -- Green Valentine.

Among the many exciting updates, happenings, and profiles:

* Every one's favorite brewpub, the Portsmouth Brewery, and their ongoing drive to to prove that succesful and sustainable do in fact go pint-filled hand in pint-filled hand.

* The enormously successful and well-attended Green Drinks / Green Alliance "Green Speed Dating" / networking event held at said Brewery earlier in the month, which drew over 100 GA members, local activists, and prospective partners alike.

* Seacoast radio staple 92.5, "The River" joins the Green Alliance, becoming one of only a handful of radio stations nation wide to become almost exclusively solar-powered.

* UNH's upstart Energy Club -- 57 members strong and growing.

* Local composting duo Rian Bedard and Eva Christensen, and their campaign to make composting a priority for all Portsmouth restaurants.

* Dover bio-fuel outlet Simply Green wants your unused cellphones!

Click here to read February's GAzette in full, and be sure to check out this issue's calendar of upcoming events!