July 29 Weekly News Brief

Join us next Tuesday, August 4, for our third Green Drinks Charlotte + Sustain Charlotte Monthly Mixer! We'll gather at The Liberty from 6:00 to 7:30 for an informal and fun evening of conversation and networking. There are no membership requirements and everyone is warmly welcomed. Last month, we featured our Silver Partner Greffen Systems (below) and this month, you'll hear from our Silver Partner, Pasta & Provisions, who will talk about their sustainability efforts. Click here to RSVP and invite friends.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, Councilmember Greg Phipps recognized Sustain Charlotte as a valued partner of the District 4 Shred Event + Sustainability Fair that was held at IKEA on June 27! We are glad to have had this opportunity to partner with the City to promote our shared goal of creating a more sustainable community. Click here to view (at 2:23:40 minutes).

Check out this fantastic video about Charlotte's creeks that was created recently as part of Keeping Watch. Keeping Watch is a three-year initiative designed to engage, inform and inspire the public about better protecting our environment. Sustain Charlotte is proud to be a partner of this UNC Charlotte led initiative. Click below to view:

We are happy to give a warm welcome to the newest member of our Transportation Choices Alliance: Patricia Bernard! If you'd like to become a member of this alliance, and help us bring about more safe and convenient opportunities to bike, walk and ride transit, click here!

Thanks to our Bronze Partner Greater Charlotte Apartment Association for their renewal! To learn more about our partnership program, and how your organization can benefit while also supporting our mission, click here.

Local residents like you play a critical role in ensuring we have the resources to carry out our work in the community to inspire choices that lead to a to a healthier and more vibrant community for generations to come! Help us do more by becoming a Sustain Charlotte member today for as little as $3/month -- that's one cup of coffee! Click to learn how easily you can support our mission and your community via membership:

Developers Get Nod for Future NoDa Projects

According to The Mecklenburg Times, "the City Council unanimously approved several rezoning petitions [last] Monday, paving the way for mixed-use projects in NoDa and other prime spots near uptown and further south." We are happy to see so many rezonings to mixed use and transit-oriented development! These types of developments will ultimately lead to more safe and convenient opportunities to bike, walk and ride transit. Click here to read more.

The Charlotte Streetcar: Y’all Got it Wrong

In this Op-Ed in The Charlotte Agenda, Erin Chantry highlights one of the most important and overlooked benefits of the streetcar: "Existing roads, utilities, and services, especially in the East and West sides of Charlotte that the streetcar will connect and transform, will easily support the amount of development in Charlotte for decades. And it will do so without needing to further expand our boundaries – and paying a hefty fund to do so. So while people complain about the cost of the streetcar, it is no different from the city pumping millions into sprawling road networks and maintenance to support sprawl. Except that it makes a heck of a lot more sense." We're glad to see the streetcar being recognized for its true potential to help create a healthier and more vibrant Charlotte! Click here to read more.

Volunteer at our Sustainable Transportation Fair for Youth this Friday 7/31 in West Charlotte!

We invite you to volunteer with us this Friday afternoon (July 31) as we teach youth ages 9 to 14 at West Charlotte's Arbor Glen Outreach Center about transportation choices! We'll pair you with other volunteers at an activity station to help small groups of kids complete hands-on learning activities. Choose from two shifts (1:00 - 3:15pm or 3:00 - 5:15pm), or you can work both. We especially need volunteers for the second shift. All volunteers must pre-register by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 704-968-2187 no later than Thursday at 4:00pm. Space is limited. Read our media advisory for more info.

Tell Congress To Support Walkable Communities with Two Important Pieces of Legislation

Every American deserves the right to safe and accessible walking conditions. Please Ask your Senator to Support Amendments to the six-year transportation bill called the DRIVE Act of 2015. It is also important that you ask your Representative to support the Safe Streets Act of 2015 (HR2071). This bill would ensure that future transportation investments made by state Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations create appropriate and safe transportation facilities for all those traveling on our streets – whether walking, bicycling, driving, taking public transportation, and regardless of age or ability.

* August 4: Green Drinks Charlotte + Sustain Charlotte Monthly Mixer *

6:00pm - 7:30pm @ The Liberty, 1812 South Blvd, Charlotte. Join us for an informal and fun evening of conversation and networking. Our Monthly Mixers provide an opportunity to learn more about us, our partners, and meet others interested in local sustainability. Click here to read more and to RSVP.

* July 13: August 23 Race to the Beach Clean Commute Challenge *

Sustain Charlotte is a sponsor of this year's clean commute challenge, named Race to the Beach, that runs July 13 - August 23. It's not too late to join for a chance to win weekly prizes and a weekend beach getaway! If your company or organization is interested in hosting a team, please contact [email protected]. For more information and to register as an individual, click here.

August 6: Opening Night Reception of Protect

7:00pm - 9:00pm @ Sycamore Brewing, 2161 Hawkins St, Charlotte. The Surfrider Foundation of Charlotte invites you the opening night reception of Protect, a pop up art exhibition. The artwork on display will feature pieces reflecting the beauty and landscape of North Carolina giving the community an opportunity to admire our picturesque state. The art exhibition is an opportunity for the Surfrider Foundation of Charlotte to showcase our state in an artistic format while bringing awareness to the community about the destructive damages caused by pollution. Click here for more information.

Save the Date: Making Energy Work Conference, Oct 6-7

@ The Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601. NCSEA's Making Energy Work Conference is the setting for collaboration to move our clean energy economy forward. It is an opportunity to learn about the next in clean energy, network with clean energy leaders, and identify solutions that advance our clean energy economy. Click here for more information and to register.

* Save the Date: 2015 NC Bike Summit in Charlotte, Oct 15-17 *

@ UNC Charlotte - Center City Building, 320 E 9th St. Charlotte. The 2015 NC Bike Summit promises to be packed full of information useful to bicycle advocates, transportation planners, business owners, elected officials, tactical urbanists, public health practitioners, and livability and sustainability professionals. Sustain Charlotte is proud to be the local host for this event.

* Save the Date: Sustain Charlotte's BIKETOBERFEST, Oct 17 *

Following the 2015 NC Bike Summit, Sustain Charlotte will be holding our very first Biketoberfest -- an event that will bring together biking enthusiasts and 'newbies' alike in a city-wide celebration!

MANY THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

Is your company interested in becoming a Sustain Charlotte partner? Our generous partners play a critical role in supporting our work. Through our corporate membership program, we provide year-round brand exposure, positive publicity, and business development opportunities to those businesses and nonprofits that are helping make our community more sustainable through their products, services, or commitment to move their organization towards greater sustainability. Become a partner today!