Going green isn't just about saving the environment.
Next weekend's MAC Events Home Show/Maymont Flower & Garden Show will demonstrate how eco-living can save money, reduce energy usage and even boost health.
For the second year, the show is offering a "Green Zone" full of environmentally-friendly products and suggestions on building practices, landscape strategies and shopping tactics.
Show planners found that increasing numbers of central Virginia businesses have added green alternatives to their product lines or services.
Plumbing companies such as Middleton HVAC in Mechanicsville, for example, offer tankless water heaters and LaDifference in Richmond includes sustainable pieces in its furniture offerings. Both are exhibitors at the show.
"This seems to be what people want now," said Mary McLaughlin, marketing director for MAC Events. "Ecologically-friendly goods can change people's lives -- what type of paint you choose can have an impact on your health."
"This definitely mirrors what we preach here," said Peggy Singlemann, director of horticulture at Maymont. "Our gardens don't demand a lot of water, we've had passive solar heat warming our barn office since the early'80s and we were the site of the first Earth Day in Richmond" in 1990.
Following are some of the green features of this year's home and garden show:
"Building Green in a Changing Environment," with speaker Wayne Booze, will emphasize how going green influences our health, energy costs and the environment. Next Friday, 4 p.m.; Feb. 21, 4 p.m. "Going Green: 10 Steps Toward Sustainability," featuring Jeff Hiller of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, is a seminar on climate change, issues related to home furnishings and how consumers can make practical green changes in everyday life. Feb. 21, noon. Vermicomposting, the process of breaking down organic matter using earthworms, is a topic by Hanover County master gardener Emily Gianfortoni. Next Friday, noon. Sally Fretwell, an architectural psychologist, color consultant and author, will demonstrate "How to Get Good Coverage in a Healthy Paint" using environmentally-friendly Fretwell Paint Colors. Next Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 22, 2:30 p.m. Annette Osso, president of the Virginia Sustainable Building Network, will speak on how to save energy and money in your home. Feb. 21, 3 p.m. Bob Shiro Jr. will conduct a session on eco-friendly flooring, including cork, bamboo, sisal, broadloom carpet and hardwoods. Next Friday, 3 p.m.; Feb. 21, 6 p.m. George Lansing of the Days of Old Herb Farm in Chester will demonstrate how to utilize simple tools and materials to create a "Victory Egg Garden," a frugal, efficient, green and rewarding return to suburban agrarian practices, including raising chickens. E.T. Moore of Ashland will exhibit flooring, paneling, moldings and cabinets from reclaimed heart pine. Solar Lighting of Virginia will feature Solatube tubular skylights and Solarstar solar-powered attic fans. Concrete Ideas showcases environmentally-friendly countertops made from recycled materials. Felice Decks will exhibit deck materials made from recycled and reclaimed plastic and wood. The Savvy Sleeper offers mattresses made of latex encased in organic wool batting and organic cotton fabric. Weather Seal Insulation will exhibit cutting-edge thermal insulation. David Spear, president of StoneKraft of Virginia, will demonstrate a do-it-yourself masonry fireplace. Blue Ridge Eco Shop will sell healthy alternative products for home and garden. -- Julie Young
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