In its effort to encourage Lake Oswegans to adopt more sustainable practices in the way they live, the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network is hosting two events this month that are worth checking out.

In addition, the city invites residents to participate in the annual Northwest Earth Institute EcoChallenge as a member of the Lake Ecoswego Team during its two week run from October 14 through October 28. Select a goal from a variety of categories—Food, Community, Health, Transportation—and make updates as to your progress to earn points.

SECOND ANNUAL ECO FILM FESTIVAL. Get educated and inspired while enjoying your choice of four free movies playing at the Lake Theater and Café on Sunday, October 16.

• WALL-E. This PIXAR film is set 700 years in the future and focuses on a robot who is left behind on planet Earth to clean up all the garbage after humans have evacuated. Plays at 10:30 a.m.
• More Than Honey addresses the threat to the world’s bee population posed by colony collapse disorder and its impact on all of us. Plays at 1:30 p.m.
• Elemental profiles three environmentalists—one Asian, an Australian and a Canadian—as they do their best to save our planet. Plays at 4:00 p.m.
• A River Between Us examines the historical conflict surrounding the Klamath River and points the way to resolution. Plays at 6:30 p.m.

The Theater is located at 106 N. State Street.

GREEN HOME TOUR.  When faced with the ramifications of global warming, many of us may think the only answer lies in big solutions on a government basis like the EPA’s greenhouse gas emissions standards or even Lake Oswego City Council’s approval of the residential composting program and delivery of food scrap pails to every household. But Lake Oswego’s Green Home Tour shows us the difference that one person can make, one household at a time. Four Lake Oswegans open their homes to let us see how they’ve integrated sustainability features into their residences. The tour takes place on Saturday, October 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Here’s a preview.

• 208 Durham Street is open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is a reconstructed home featuring a “Gold-rated” certified backyard habitat, cork floors, on-demand water heater, Heritage Tree and electric-assist bicycle in the garage.
• 1960 Egan Way is open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and features solar panels that provide 90 percent of the electric energy for their home and electric vehicles.
• 111 Ladd Street is open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is an example of adaptive reuse and resource conservation with LED lighting, use of materials from the Portland Rebuilding Center, energy efficient heating system, and a “Gold-rated” certified backyard.
• 2090 Crest Drive is open from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is designated as the last stop in the tour where participants can enjoy refreshments and a beautiful view while watching a composting demonstration.

If you are looking for sustainable features in a home in Lake Oswego, give me a call at 503.939.9801 or check out my website.  I’d love to show you around.