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We try not to write to much about us and our project here. We just don’t think we are all that interesting but I keep getting emails this week asking for an update on the Good project. So here goes.

The project has a total of 35 homes in it and today are about 2 weeks from wrapping up phase one which is 5 homes. There are three floor plans total however we only have two of them built now - the third will be making its big debut sometime in mid 09′.

The three types of homes are called XS - Small - and Medium.   We named them that to start the conversation about how to live a lower impact lifestyle and how large homes just aren’t all that necessary.

The name Good came from our drive to do good and belief that you can do good in everything you do.  We set out to build a community that can be a beacon for the right way to do things both on the sustainability front and for the way homes are built in cities.

We have one home left in the first phase and have already sold several homes in the second phase. (I just remembered that we need to update the PDF with the homes sold.) there is no sales center because we think they are a waste of money and are stale places to visit. Instead we head over from time to time and do open houses and we give tours of the homes to people who are interested. (just call 916.930.9400 if you are interested)  Sometime in Early October we are going to have a show and tell day so we can show off the completed homes in phase one. We will post more about it here.

Alright. I’m done. It’s uncomfortable talking about us so much…

Levi

We are only about 2 weeks from finishing the first phase of homes in Good and that means we are going to be installing the Naturemill kitchen composter soon. They all arrived yesterday and I quickly brought one of them home to try it out.

Its an amazingly well built little machine. I was surprised to see that the whole thing was made out of a type of high density styrofoam. But after trying it out I can see that its design is thought out perfectly.

Last night we took all the scrap veggies from the Thai soup we made and took some of the.. seen better days, leftovers out of our fridge and dumped them in.

This morning I woke up and found this inside.

It literally took a bunch of food and made almost perfect dirt out of it overnight! I have no idea how it does it so fast.

I spoke with Josh from Green Sacramento yesterday and he is going to be looking into carrying them at the store. I am going to post on here when he has them in stock, now that I have seen it in action I think every kitchen needs one.

Levi

Let me start by painting a picture for you. The sun is setting off in the distance while off behind you faintly you can hear the sweet melody of birds. The river sprawls out in front of you as you dip your feet in its cool embrace. Your heart slows as the sound of the river starts to work its way into your soul and slow you down from the pace of life. Everything is perfect in every way…Now as you look to your left you see me (yeah kind of makes the whole thing weird right?) And I am down on my knees begging you for something….At first you can’t make out what it is I am asking then it all starts to come clear. In my hand is a Button and I am asking you to click on it and vote for the Good Project.

As if you could not already tell. I really want you to go over to the SN&R site and Vote for Good. Lets see if we can’t prove once and for all that Sacramento is ready for the revolution of sustainable products and good design.

Are you with me?

Levi

We try and make a point of not talking about it when we get in the paper but today’s write up was not about us it was about the people who signed up to come help build with earth at the Good project yesterday. And I want everyone who came out to know that we think you are the best!

You can all come by in 50 years and see the earth benches you helped build standing strong!

Here is the terrific article in the Bee today.

Levi

I got this email from Stephanie our coordinator at USGBC.

“I am extremely pleased to present the Stage 2 Final Review for LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot project #10101868 Good which awards your project 43 points and a “Certified” rating. Congratulations! This is an impressive accomplishment.”

Hooray!

This has been an enlightening process to be involved with a world changing organization like the USGBC. We are very excited that we have been able to be part of the pilot. What is really cool is all of the verifiable good that a LEED ND certification will bring. We have a walkable neighborhood, transit lines right around the corner, parks, we can throw rocks at downtown, the houses are sustainable and use less resources and we are being recognized for it. Thanks to Greenbuilt Consulting for all of the work in making sure we stuck to our guns on this one.

Micah

I am going to be over at the GOOD project tonight from 5-6 for an open house. If you’ve been itching to take a look and want to swing by after work we will be there!  Here is a link to the Google Map

Levi

Just a reminder that there are a few spaces left in the building with earth class this Saturday. Don’t forget to sign up!

When:  Saturday August 23rd from 9AM - 2 ish
Where: GOOD - 5th and B Streets in West Sacramento
Cost: $10 Per person
Food: Lunch included

All you need to do is send an email Steve@ljurban.com and let him know you are interested.

Levi

Michael Zwahlen the incredible photographer from Living in Urban Sac contacted us a few weeks ago and offered to go shoot the Good project. I love his work and have been following him for the past few years so getting an opportunity to have him photograph something we built was an honor.

I got the disk in the mail a few days ago and finally got the pictures uploaded onto a slideshow. You can see it here.

Levi

One of my favorite things to do is get all muddy and sandy with my kids at the beach, so when I heard that we might be able to get
dirty without driving for two hours I was naturally intrigued.

On Saturday, August 23 Brian from Urban Earth Solutions is going
to be teaching a class at the Good project on how to build earth
structures. On the site there are three big oak trees and under
them we are going to build benches in the plaza that are made
out of earth bags as the core and then surrounded with cob
and earthen plaster. How fun does that sound?

When: Saturday August 23rd from 9AM - 2 ish
Where: GOOD - 5th and B Streets in West Sacramento
Cost: $10 Per person
Food: Lunch included

If you have been looking for a place to throw some mud around
then this is the class for you. There are only a limited number of
spaces available and they are going to fill up fast so be sure to
get your spot by emailing Steve@LJUrban.com.

Levi

As promised we are trying to hold more open houses at the Good project. I know that several of you asked that we do one this weekend so we are going to be there tomorrow (Saturday) from 1-6. We will be showing off the nearly completed homes in the first phase.

Also I wanted to share a bit of good news I got on the mortgage side today. I just found out that the XS units can be as low as $1365 Per month with a 10% down payment and only $200 more with nothing down. Finally a break in all the mortgage madness we have been hearing about.

Here is a map to Good.

See you there!