Two eco-building courses coming up

There’s a growing number of books and Web sites that teach homeowners how to build—or repair—in a green manner.

Sometimes, though, it’s helpful to take part in a workshop to put words into action.

Two upcoming courses in the Inland Northwest will offer hands-on learning opportunities:

-Introduction to Permaculture, a weekend workshop intensive
Aug. 29-30
Medicine Circle Eco-Retreat near Priest Lake
$85

Permaculture uses patterns found in nature to integrate human systems—such as food production, housing, water harvesting, renewable energy, community, etc.—into a unified whole.
Permaculture design combines that understanding with technology to create sustainable human settlements.
This workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn how to live more sustainably. It will include presentations, videos, hands-on projects and discussions over shared meals. By the end, participants will be able to create their own sustainable designs.
For more information, visit Medicine Circle or Sandpoint Transition Initiative or call (208) 255-8100 or (208) 255-2440. To register, visit Gentle Harvest.org .

-Repairing and Restoring Wood Windows
Oct. 12-16
Downtown Ritzville
$450

So the old windows on your house—or your cleints’ houses—are letting in cold air. Must be time to replace them with new energy-efficient ones made of vinyl or a composite, right?
That’s the conclusion many homeowners (and, ahem, window manufacturers) have been jumping to lately, but craftsman Kevin Palo argues that repairing rather than replacing wooden windows is most likely the greener option.
Participants will be removing, repairing and re-installing wooden windows in an historic building in downtown Ritzville during this five-day workshop.
(509) 659-4242 or tloapo@centurytel.net for more information.

Know of another upcoming event that will help us all Dwell Well? Drop me a line at megan.cooley@comcast.net with the details.