Happy Halloween!

Super Remy and Ninja E get ready to take on the world!

Urban Farmer Certification Class Tour

Last weekend Urban Farmer participants toured several classmates' wonderful home garden spaces, checking out the organic gardening principles discussed in class.

Kristi's organized and bountiful tomato operation.

Susan's gorgeous peppers (above) and beautiful sunflower/bean trellis (below).

Megan and Andrew's pumpkins!

Salem Green + Solar Fair 2011

Are you interested in increasing the value of your current home? Would you like to learn what green-building leaders in the region have done with their homes? Want to talk with experts and owners about design, products, and strategies to help get you there?

Join us Saturday, October 1st for:
Salem Green + Solar Fair 2011
Brought to you by Salem AIA, Pringle Creek Community, Marion County Public Works Environmental Services, and Solar Oregon

The focus of this year’s fair is on increasing the value of your home through green renovation & remodeling! Join 14 other cities across Oregon for this annual event!

We will begin with a presentation by President and Founder of Green Hammer Construction, Stephen Aiguier, who has remodeled and built several high-performance LEED Platinum and Passive House certified homes. Stephen will profile his most recent green home renovations, energy strategies, products, design considerations, and ways to increase existing home value for the long-term. 

Following Stephen’s presentation

MIG Farm Dinner!

Jackie and I went to the Minto Island Growers Farm Dinner last week and it was awesome! David Rosales and crew created a delicious all-veg multi-course dinner at the MIG Farm Stand, served family-style. Such a great group of people at all the tables, mostly CSA members, very elegant and classy, and a ton of fun. Can we do this every weekend? Awesome job Chris and Elizabeth! And to Sally for putting it together! Thank you for bringing an event like this to Salem. We hope there will be more! PS: if you would like to join the MIG CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program, visit their website. Painters Hall is one of their south Salem drop sites!

Dinner guests applaud Chris, Elizabeth, and David

Some of Minto Island Growers organic farm operations in the background

Intimate and fun, and perfect weather

Urban Farmer wanted!

Pringle Creek Community is seeking a part-time Urban Farmer to maintain and expand our urban farming operations and related educational programming in the neighborhood. This includes a large intensive garden with 6,000 square feet of glass Conservatory, as well as 2 acres of organic orchards, blueberries, and community gardens, and additional acreage.

The position's primary responsibility will be to produce food for Painters Hall Café and farm stand sales through manual fieldwork, crop cultivation, planning, production, harvesting, and selling of produce. Other duties and responsibilities include: maintaining gardens, orchards, and Conservatory for productivity, yield, beauty, and interest; maintaining and repairing Conservatory and irrigation infrastructure; exploring potential community beekeeping and urban chicken keeping program; engaging volunteers and community partners in farm production activities; providing farm-related educational tours and activities; and assisting neighborhood organic landscape maintenance program.

Required qualifications: gardening or farming experience, preferably 2 years or more in organic or chemical-free agriculture; ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve goals successfully; knowledge of (or willingness to learn) Conservatory operations, maintenance, repair, and basic carpentry. Preferred qualifications: experience teaching youth in a farm setting; demonstrated interest in issues related to food security and sustainable agriculture; ability to work creatively on a low budget; passion for sustainability and for challenging yet rewarding work in an outdoor setting.

Accepting applications until September 9th, 2011. We may not be able to respond to all candidate applications.

Please send resume and cover letter to James by email.

Update: thanks everyone, we found someone awesome! Nicole McDavid is now our Urban Farmer and is taking care of the Glasshouses and gardens. Stop by to say hi! and come try her produce in Painters Hall Cafe.

Favorite Salem secret (again)

Kelsey Wilson was just featured in the Statesman Journal Young Professional spotlight, and said her "favorite Salem secret" is "Pringle Creek Community. It's the perfect place to ride bikes, have a picnic or go for a walk."
Thanks Kelsey! You aren't the only one who loves this place. Julia McFerron told the Statesman Journal that Pringle Creek was her "Favorite Salem Secret" last year too, and we have a lot of friends that come here just to enjoy the 12 acres of natural open space and well-designed streets -- like living in a park. It's beautiful, as you can see from these photos taken in front of the Root Cellar, gardens, and creek by Katie Brown Photography.
Thanks Kelsey! We're glad you like coming here!

Today's Young Professional: Kelsey Wilson
August 21, 2011
Name: Kelsey Wilson
Age: 29
Residence: Salem
What I do at work: Public Affairs Manager at Vox Public Relations Public Affairs. I am responsible for

Lunchtime!

Painters Hall Cafe is an awesome place to have lunch -- have you discovered it yet?


To see the menu (which includes organic blueberry gelato, espresso drinks, and great food), visit http://paintershallcafe.blogspot.com  seriously the best gaspacho this side of Seville...

The best place in Salem to sit outside, have lunch in the shade, and listen to the birds sing.

Organic greens, incredible bread, home baked chicken, fresh fruit, balsamic dressing.... all this for $5

Painters Hall mentioned in Statesman article on WOU

We received a brief mention in today's Statesman Journal, as Painters Hall was the first LEED Platinum building in Salem. Congratulations to Western Oregon University! Link to Statesman Journal article
WOU hall becomes first Polk LEED Platinum building
Justin Much
Statesman Journal
August 4, 2011

The newly anointed nexus on the Western Oregon University campus just officially earned its green stripes.
Ackerman Hall, which opened in September, achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Hall’s builders aimed for the Platinum rating from the onset, while its architect, Kurt Haapala, also prized the building’s

Open Houses!

With three new LEED homes under construction, priced $240K to $340K, we are having some scheduled Open Houses for those of you interested in making Pringle Creek Community your home. We will giving tours beginning at Painters Hall four times a month on either Thursdays after work (4 - 6pm) or Sundays in the afternoon (12 - 2pm).

Our next Open House will be Thurs 8/11, Sun 8/14, Thurs 8/18, and Sun 8/28. Stop by if you have any questions or want to experience what living here is all about. If possible, let us know you plan to visit either by email or phone 503-315-1055 so we can look for you and introduce ourselves.

New cottage homes for sale!

We have three homes currently under construction this summer, priced between $259,500 and $329,000. The first (the Alder) is already spoken for, and has a young family (Keith and Alicia + boys) moving in September 1st!

The Coho combines smart modern design with a traditional craftsman look. It is designed by Architect Ross Chapin.

The second home (the Coho) is now available for sale, and it is going to be awesome -- 20ft lofted ceiling above the kitchen and living space, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, custom cabinetry and countertops, ultra-efficient ground-source heating and cooling for remarkably low utilities, LEED® Platinum certification, and a warranty for materials and workmanship through 2021.

The Coho is 1,271 square feet with an additional detached garage (with a greenroof -- the master bedroom looks out onto it!). The Coho combines the best of smart design with that timeless craftsman look – front porch, private nooks, wood windows you love to open, and traditional lines and trim. It will also have a beautifully-landscaped common pathway courtyard just off the front porch, and french doors opening out to a private backyard space adjacent to a 10-acre park and ball field.

The master bedroom of the Coho (left) currently under construction, looks out onto this awesome greenroof!

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified Beech custom cabinetry.

Custom Eco-stone countertops made form 75% recycled materials.

No-VOC adhesives and paints for healthy indoor air quality.

Home fire suppression system for total fire protection and safety.

100% FSC lumber and advanced framing techniques.

Double-pane U.30 Sierra Pacific Aluminum-clad wood windows.

Highly insulated – R49 ceiling, R38 floor, R26 walls.

Ground-Source Heat Pump for ultra-efficient heating and cooling.

If you would like a walk through, let us know, I'd be happy to show you around! Or call James at 503-315-1055 to set up a time to visit. Check back for more photos!