Builders Workshop Focuses On Energy

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net Plus Energy School For Builders

A new energy-efficiency educational program for builders gets launched April 22 and 23 at the Inn at Charles Town, with the first 20 builders who sign up receiving free admission. The net Plus Energy program has been assembled by Professor Andrew McCoy of Virginia Tech and Al Cobb, who runs the Structural Insulated Panel building firm Panelwrights and SIPs School—a training program on the SIPs building techonology.

“We all follow or are involved with design and build projects that are some shade of green,” said Cobb. “net Plus Energy School is the convergence of building science, project management, and best practices necessary to succeed in making low-energy, high-performance buildings.”

Cobb says many builders have watched trends in building, and are likely keen on the advancement of low-energy, high performance construction. Many may have attained certification for projects through Energy Star, EarthCraft, the NAHB’s ICC Green Standard, or Passive House.

Many also may know about the new launch of DOE’s Challenge Home: Zero Net-Energy Ready. “With interest or experience in programs like these, builders want to know how they are similar and different, how they compare on a common scale, how they might be integrated,” said Cobb. Specific to their projects, builders want to assess different enclosure assemblies such as double-stud walls, Larsen trusses, SIPs, ICFs, and OVE.

“A lot of builders have wondered about the comparison of the energy impact of products A to B, or system Y to Z, as well as the material and labor costs associated with each,” said Cobb.

So Cobb, partnering with McCoy, has crafted what he says is a clear, practical, and comprehensive curriculum, packed with solid take-aways that can be applied in the field.

Here is the curriculum:

Key Learning Objectives, Day 1

  • Understanding ‘Low-Energy’ Programs in Context: Energy Star, Passive House, Builders Challenge, NZE.
  • Compare & contrast using a common scale; Prioritizing Core Concepts of High-Performance Buildings.
  • Identify / Specify Materials & Assemblies suitable to Low-Energy, High-Performance building.
  • Utilizing a Designers Build Report to assess project plan sets and ensure complete specifications.
  • Clarifying project roles and responsibilities to establish authority and set appropriate expectations.
  • Discussing project bidding and contractual concerns.
  • Examining moisture and heat flows through common assemblies, identifying likely problem areas.
  • Assessing whole-assembly R values & permeance.
  • Understand framing factors for assemblies.
  • Analyzing strategies for eliminating thermal bridges.
  • Differentiating the language: barriers and retarders.
  • Evaluating air-tightness metrics: know what the target should be, why, and how to achieve it.
  • Mastery of Details: Fenestration.
  • Applying performance factors to buildings.

Key Learning Objectives, Day 2

For information on the net Plus Energy workshop, contact Al Cobb at al@sipschool.org.

Long Branch Hosts Vintage ‘Base Ball’ Doubleheader

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DC Area “Ballists” will recreate an early version of America’s pastime as “Cranks” cheer them on!

Historic Long Branch will host a vintage base ball (originally two words) doubleheader May 11, from 10am until 2pm. Visitors to the event will take a step back in time as they watch the Chesapeake Nine of Baltimore take on the Old Dominions of Virginia in a series of games played by the 1864 rulebook. Cranks (1860s term for fans) will feel as though they have returned to the late 19th century to see the ballists (baseball players), outfitted in old-style uniforms, recreate the game by playing by the rules and customs of the 1860s, which include the ability to tag out opposing players by hitting them with the ball. The lingo, uniforms, and equipment will provide cranks with a great show as well as a history lesson.

“We are ecstatic about hosting base ball games at Historic Long Branch exactly as they would have been played throughout America in the late 19th century,” said Nicholas Redding, executive director of Historic Long Branch. “The fact that Hugh Nelson, Sr., a resident of Long Branch in the late 1800s, was himself involved with the “Old Guard,” the local Millwood baseball team of that era, makes this event that much more exciting.”

This family friendly event will be held in one of Historic Long Branch’s spacious pastures. Fans coming to the event are encouraged to bring a blanket or a chair to enjoy the historic match. The entry fee is $5 per carload, and there will be food and entertainment available in between the games. Representatives from the Barns of Rose Hill, the Clarke County Historical Association, and other community organizations will be onsite to provide additional information and opportunities about upcoming activities in Clarke County.

For information, visit historiclongbranch.com or facebook.com/LongBranch1811.

Around Clarke County April-May

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Maggio & McCagg

A show featuring artists Tia Maggio and Winslow McCagg runs through April 27 at the Duvall Designs Gallery in Millwood, with a closing reception on the 27th, from 4pm till 6pm. Maggio works with pastels and Winslow with oil paint on canvas. Both have been musing and applying themselves in their work on the complexities, colors, light, patterns, and abstractions inherent in nature around them. Both artists have been painting and drawing in this area for over 20 years. Check them out Fridays–Sundays, noon till 5pm—and be sure to attend the closing.

April

20, Operation Inasmuch

Berryville Baptist Church is organizing Operation Inasmuch, a day devoted to helping people in the community. At least 80 congregants and friends are teaming up to help, based on the scripture Matthew 25:40: “Inasmuch as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.” There will be a “free for all” yard sale, a visit to residents at Washington Square apartments and sharing “we care” bags filled with first-aid items; windshield washing at the gas station on Triple J, Berryville; “Sunshine baskets” filled with fruit, nuts, and baked goods at the Senior Center; sing-alongs at Johnson Williams apartments, Godfrey House and Greenfield; litter clean up along Senseny Road off Rte. 340, and more. If you want to help in some way, call Rose Staples at 540-303-2199.

19, Choral Concert

Clarke County H.S. Chorus at Grace United Methodist Church in Middletown.

20,Conservation Film Festival

American Conservation Film Festival presents ‘ACFF Best of Fest’ in the multipurpose room of American Public University’s Finance Center, 393 North Lawrence Street, Charles Town, W.Va. Starting at 1pm, three of the top films from the 2012 film fest will be shown: Bidder 70, Cape Spin, and The Last Iceman of Chimborazo. Tickets are $10 per person, with student, senior and military discounts available at $8. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance via the ACFF website www.conservationfilm.org.

19, The Tempest

At the Barns April 19–21. The Sixth Annual Spring Shakespeare Emerging Artists’ production for Wayside Theatre will be The Tempest in cooperation with Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville. In this fantastical comedy, the sorcerer and rightful Duke of Milan, Prospero, and her daughter Miranda, have been exiled on a tropical island for 12 years. When Prospero’s enemies make the mistake of sailing too close to the island, she and her faithful spirit-servant, Ariel, summon a terrible storm to make sure that they make amends for their past actions—and have fun playing matchmaker for Miranda while they’re at it. For info: www.barnsofrosehill.org.

20, Arboretum Tour

At Blandy Farm, 10am till noon. By mid-April, the Arboretum shows off its glorious display of flowering trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Learn about your State Arboretum and take a guided tour through our gardens. Tour is free, but reservations required.

21, Laura Cortese

There is nothing timid about Laura Cortese (cor-TAY-zee). She wields a fiddle like a rocker slings his guitar, and sings with even more swagger. A native San Franciscan, Cortese moved to Boston to study violin at Berklee College of Music and has since immersed herself in the city’s vibrant indie music scene. She has made appearances with Band of Horses, Pete Seeger, Patterson Hood and Michael Franti, and Jocie Adams of the Low Anthem. Showtime 7:30pm; tickets $10; $15 at the door. Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

22, Watercolors

First meeting for a Monday workshop at Opus Oaks, 10am till noon, April 22–June 3, ages 12 and up. With instructor Gale Bowman-Harlow, at Studio East (109 First Street). $85. Bring your own materials or pay an additional $50 for a beginning set at the first class. Bring your own pictures and ideas. Beginners will start with the basics: color mixing, composition, layering color, experimenting, brush techniques, washes, and materials. The instructor is there to help with artistic decisions and to introduce new techniques to students. 6 classes. www.opusoaks.org.

22, Acrylic & Oil Painting

First meeting of a workshop meeting Mondays at Opus Oaks, 1–3:30pm, April 22–June 3, ages 12 and up. With instructor Gale Bowman-Harlow, at Studio East (109 First Street). $100, plus $15 materials fee. Learn techniques in composition; focal point, abstract verses descriptive, depth of field, and canvas prep. Explore color mixing and theory, light source, brush techniques, layering paint, glazing, and style. Continuing students work on their own paintings. Please bring an 18×24 canvas/canvas board/masonite and 6 pictures of things to paint. 6 classes. www.opusoaks.org.

23, Stained Glass

First meeting of a workshop meeting Tuesdays at Opus Oaks, 4:30–6pm, April 23–May 28, ages 12 and up. With instructor Sheryl Reid at Studio East (109 First Street). $85, plus $15 materials fee. You will be guided through choosing a pre-made pattern or designing your own stained glass project. Learn basic techniques of foiling, soldering, and finishing while making light catchers and decorative hangings. Continuing students will work on more advanced projects. 6 classes. www.opusoaks.org.

23, Acrylic Painting

First meeting of a workshop at Opus Oaks for ages 6 and up, Tuesdays, April 23–May 28, 5–6:30pm. With instructor Gale Bowman-Harlow, at Studio East (109 First Street). $85, plus $15 materials fee. Students will learn basic painting techniques: color-mixing, building with color, mediums, color theory, light, and composition. Bring an 18 x 24 canvas/canvas board and pictures of things you want to paint. Returning students will work on their own paintings. 6 classes. Opusoaks.org.

23, Oil Painting

First meeting of a workshop for ages 15 and up, two class choices. Tuesdays, 6:30–9:30pm, April 23–May 28 with Eric Cherry, or Saturdays, 10am–12:30pm, April 20–June 1 with Gale Bowman-Harlow. At Studio East, 109 First Street, Berryville. $125, plus $15 materials fee. Students will learn the Old Masters technique of oil painting and glazing. Instruction includes: laying out your palette, canvas prep, color theory, grey scale color mixing, composition, and mediums. Bring your own paints or use our studio paints, an 18 x 24 canvas or board, and 5 photos. 6 classes. Opusoaks.org.

24, Full Moon Hike

At Blandy Farm, 7:30-9pm. Explore the Arboretum under the full moon. Bring a flashlight, wear comfortable shoes, and explore the natural world at dusk and after dark. Perfect for the family, but no dogs please. FOSA members $8; nonmembers $10 Bring the whole family for $20. Reservations required—space is Limited. State Arboretum of Virginia, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, www.blandy.virginia.edu, or call 540-837-1758 Ext. 224 for information.

24, Woody Pines

At the Barns, showtime 7:30pm; tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Ragtime, boogie, viper jazz, lightning speed folk. Full of stomp and swing, and jump and jive. It’s old-time feel-good music done by a young master who clearly understands that this kind of music was always about having a great time. http://www.woodypines.com. Info and tickets: Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

24, Fused Glass

First meeting of an Opus Oaks workshop, ages 13 and up, 12:30–3:30pm Wednesdays. $125. Fusing glass in a kiln creates 2D and 3D art pieces with luminous colors, decorations and shapes. Learn to develop a design, cut, assemble, decorate and fuse art glass. Stingers, frit, confetti, glass paint, noodles, rods, and strips to enhance your piece and a brief intro to jewelry making will be presented. 6 classes. Opusoakes.org.

25, Watercolors

First meeting of a workshop meeting Thursdays at Opus Oaks, 6:30–8:30pm, April 25–May 30. With instructor Gale Bowman-Harlow, at Studio East (109 First Street). $85. Bring your own materials or pay an additional $50 for a beginning set at the first class. Bring your own pictures and ideas. Beginners will start with the basics: color mixing, composition, layering color, experimenting, brush techniques, washes, and materials. The instructor is there to help with artistic decisions and to introduce new techniques to students. 6 classes. www.opusoaks.org.

25, Fundamentals of Drawing

Workshops meets at Opus Oaks Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, with instructor Doug Pifer. $85 plus $10 material fee. Students will explore line quality, composition, perspective, lights/darks, building forms and shapes, shading and developing visual acuity skills with different drawing instruments such as graphite, charcoal, and inks. Students will draw from plaster models and still life. 6 classes. Opusoaks.org.

25, Landscape Painting

For students ages 12 and up: Learn about laying out your palette, canvas prep, color theory, grey scale color mixing, composition, and mediums. The first class will involve mixing a palette with landscape colors, preparing the canvas and a composition discussion. Dress comfortably and bring your own oil paints, an 18 x 24 board, folding chair, and outdoor easel. 6 classes, $125 plus material fee. Workshop meets Thursdays, 10am–12:30pm. See opusoaks.org.

26, Banana Express

At the Barns, 8pm. Tickets $10. A bluesy, jazzy and all around, hard-driving musical experience. Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

27, Spaghetti Dinner

Fundraiser for Clarke County Choral Department at Clarke County High School, 5pm. $10 ($5 for children 10 and under). Build-your-own pasta bar. Ice cream sundae bar for dessert. Entertainment by choir students.

28, Kids acting classes

At the Barns, 10am, with Sarah Douglas. Theatre Fundamentals for ages 5–8, 11am–1pm.
Participants build basic theatre skills through acting games, creative movement,
and story dramatization. Acting and Playmaking for ages 9–12, 2–5pm. Participants explore acting and storytelling techniques though theatre exercises and games. Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

30, Trillium Hike

Sponsored by Blandy Farm at the Thompson Wildlife Management Area 9am–12:30pm. Join the annual field trip to one of the region’s most spectacular wildflower displays, featuring a sea of trilliums. Meet at the Blandy library and carpool. FOSA members $8; nonmembers $10; reservations required. State Arboretum of Virginia, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, www.blandy.virginia.edu, or call 540-837-1758 Ext. 224 for information.

30, Aberdeen Green

At the Barns, 7:30pm. Tickets $10. Carley’s gritty, raw vocals are the culmination of her influences – folk artists such as Joni Mitchell, Patty Griffin, and Bob Dylan and blues singers like Keb Mo and Eva Cassidy. Listen to the lonesome sound coming out of Amanda’s stellar set of pipes, and it’s no surprise to learn she grew up on the tunes of artists like the Dixie Chicks, Allison Krauss, and Bonnie Raitt. Put these two together, and the result is something truly magical. And it’s easy to get hooked on their cool, Americana vibe. Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

May

2, Miss Tess & The Talkbacks

At the Barns, 7:30pm; tickets $10. Modern vintage is the sound from former Boston and now Brooklyn-based chanteuse Miss Tess. She’s jazzy, retro, cabaret-esque, sweet, sassy, old-timey, enchanting, sometimes a little folky, and sometimes she’s got the blues. Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

3, Last Ham Standing

At the Barns, 8pm. A hilarious show full of laughs for the entire family. A group of talented performers take suggestions from the audience to create wacky scenes and funny improv games. If you like Whose Line Is It Anyway? you’ll love Last Ham Standing . . . the other comedy meat. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

10, Yamomanem

At the Barns, 8pm. Yamomanem features a repertoire rooted in the 20s and 30s hot jazz styles, with electric guitars and funky congas. Not really a brass band, not really a Dixieland band. It’s like old New Orleans music at the root of it all, but with many branches. They’ll explore them all. Tickets $10. Barnsofrosehill.org or 540-955-2004.

11, Garden Fair

May 11 and 12, it’s Mother’s Day weekend and the Virginia Arboretum’s Garden Fair, 9am–4:30pm. Garden Fair is a huge plant and garden supply sale, and also features an entire weekend of free events, including guided tours, activities for the whole family (family events are 12–2pm Saturday and Sunday), food, and more. Admission is $10 per car; all activities and events are free. The Foundation of the State Arboretum is a nonprofit organization, and the Garden Fair is the foundation’s largest annual fundraising event. Proceeds support programs at the State Arboretum. Rte. 50 in Clarke County. For more information call 540-837-1758 or visit www.blandy.virginia.edu.

16, Myth, Magic & Medicine

At Blandy’s Herb Garden, 2¬4pm. Learn about spiritual and medicinal uses of herbs in Blandy’s Herb Garden. Wear comfortable shoes. FOSA members $8; nonmembers $10 Reservations required—space is limited. State Arboretum of Virginia, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, www.blandy.virginia.edu, or call 540-837-1758 Ext. 224 for information.

24, Full Moon Hike

At Blandy Experimental Farm, 7:30–9:00pm. Explore the Arboretum under the full moon. Bring a flashlight, wear comfortable shoes, and explore the natural world at dusk and after dark. No dogs please. FOSA members $8; nonmembers $10. This hike is for those 14 and older. Reservations required. State Arboretum of Virginia, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, www.blandy.virginia.edu, or call 540-837-1758 Ext. 224 for information.

Walk Through Grief To Begin Nature Walks

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A new community service organization called Walk Through Grief meets every Saturday for hour-long nature walks using the trails in Franklin Park. The weekly schedule will alternate between a widow’s group and a general participation group. In addition to the nature walks a series of seasonal events will be offered and volunteers are welcome.
The mission of this self-help group is to create an ongoing schedule of upbeat activities to help counter the effects of grief in healthy, natural ways while creating an outlet for grief-expression. Physical exercise, enjoying the outdoors, meeting friends, and smiling is important for everyone, but especially for those of us who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Group members will be able gain new insights by listening to the experiences of others and will be given ample opportunity to share their personal grief experience as well.
Walk Through Grief is the brainchild of local resident, Nancy Mumm, who felt the community was underserved in the area of social and activity groups for those in grief recovery. To her, the answer was obvious. Start one. After considering what healthful activity would have the broadest appeal the obvious answer was a year-round schedule of outdoor walk and talks.
This group is not intended to be used in place of physical therapy or grief counseling where individuals would be guided by professionals. Walk Through Grief is for those who are beyond the initial six month grieving period and feel ready for supportive socializing but community residents willing to support and mentor newer members are always welcome, regardless of when they lost their spouse, significant other or family member.
For information visit www.WalkThroughGrief.com.