These days, it seems as though everyone is talking about “going green.” Taglines on the covers of magazines are all about “green living,” big companies are talking about their “green missions,” and celebrities and politicians are talking about the importance of “being green.” Here at Serenbe, we couldn’t be happier about it, because green living is what we’re all about. We hold the notion that a community is a living part of its natural surroundings, not something to be built at nature’s expense. From the ground up, we’ve taken a new look at community development and have based every facet of Serenbe design on traditional values and the principles of environmental sustainability. In other words, we’re authentically green.
Here are a few reasons why…
Land Preservation
First and foremost, the dedication to environmental protection is demonstrated by Serenbe’s commitment to green space preservation. Less than 30 percent of Serenbe’s 900 acres will ever see development—70 percent or more will remain rolling hills and forestland with wildlife, farm animals, wildflower meadows, and streams. Plus, we’re in the heart of the Chattahoochee Hill Country, 40,000 acres protected with a master plan that calls for 80 percent green space.
Development Design
Each Serenbe building project is designed to flow with the terrain, disturbing our natural landscape as little as possible and eliminating the need for mass grading. Tree clearing is limited to only those trees necessary to make room for building. In fact, many of the trees and native plants are being carefully removed and replanted elsewhere at Serenbe, preserving the natural resources for future residents and visitors. Native plants and organic landscaping techniques are used exclusively throughout the community, eliminating the need for chemicals and expensive lawn maintenance.
Walkability
Serenbe’s design encourages walking—pathways wind through the entire community, making it faster and easier to get from one point to another on foot, rather than in a car.
EarthCraft Houses
All homes at Serenbe (and our two new cottages at the Inn) are built to the standards of the EarthCraft House guidelines, which include energy efficiency, low maintenance, air quality, water conservation, and resouce-efficient building materials and systems. Owners of an EarthCraft house enjoy a healthier home with lower utility bills, in addition to an increased resale value.
Organic Farming
Twenty acres at Serenbe are devoted to organic farming based on principles of permaculture and biodynamics. Serenbe Farms is part of the national Community Supported Agriculture partnership and provides organic produce to Serenbe residents, the community’s restaurants, and area residents. Every Saturday during growing season, the Serenbe Farmers’ Market is held in the heart of the Selborne community. The Serenbe farmers bring loads of gorgeous produce, and they’re joined by several local food vendors and artisans.
Recycling & Composting
Through the efforts of the Serenbe Institute’s Environmental Committee, chaired by Pam Hollis, Serenbe’s recycling and composting program is in the process of being simplified and expanded. Each household simply has to bag their recyclables, place a “recyclables” sticker on the bag, and place in one of the in-ground garbage receptacles outside their home. Each home can now also have their compost picked up by the “garbage valet”--residents simply need to place their compost in a special bio-degradable compost bag and place in a receptacle with their recycling and other trash. These compost bags will soon be available at all retail locations in Serenbe, including the Serenbe Farm. Each household will be given their first set of stickers for recyclables, and their first box of BioBag Compost bags, compliments of EcoMeme.com.
Enviro-Dining
It’s not unlikely to see Chef Tony Seichrist of The Farmhouse in the organic herb garden cutting fresh herbs before prepping for the night’s dinner, or Chef Nicolas Bour of the Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop carrying in a a tray of eggs, fresh from the Serenbe Farms, for Saturday morning breakfast. Chef Hilary White of The Hil spends tons of time working with Serenbe Farms manager Paige Witherington to lend a hand and learn all about how much of the food she’ll prepare in her restaurant, opening in August, is grown. Our three restaurants all use as many products of the Serenbe Farms as possible, and they support local farmers in the area. Plus, they use “green” practices like composting and recycling—and the Blue Eyed Daisy is the smallest Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building in the nation. So, do salads taste better when made with herbs, tomatoes and greens picked this morning? How about eggs that are fresh from the happy chickens less than a mile away? Come taste for yourself why many critics are raving about Serenbe as a culinary destination…
Wastewater Treatment
Serenbe’s founders opted to install a biological wastewater treatment system rather than a traditional sewer system. This system, designed by Natural Systems International, is the first of its kind to be built in Georgia. Using inexpensive reuse water techniques, treated effluent water is reused for irrigation and future water supply for toilets. Other wastewater is treated in a two-stage chemical-free passive system that incorporates non-disruptive filtration and dispersion. The result is cleaner water, reclaimed through means that require less energy and less supervision on behalf of the operator, and amount to a huge annual savings on water bills.
Storm Water Management
Rather than using concrete spillways that concentrate storm runoff, Serenbe storm water runoff is directed into natural systems of vegetated filter strips and shallow channels of dense vegetation. These natural filters remove pollutants while dispersing water flow.
|
|
|
 |
 |
Serenbe Farmers’ Markets
Every Saturday in Growing Season (mid-November), 8 a.m. – noon
Selborne Green
Each week, Farms manager Paige Witherington and her crew have gorgeous organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, and eggs from the Serenbe Farms. Plus, they are joined
by a variety of fantastic food and craft vendors, and sometimes feature live
music and cooking demonstrations.
Visit SerenbeFarms.com and signup to be placed on the email list for regular updates.
Kids’ Days at Serenbe Farms
Every Wednesday in June & July, 9 – 11 a.m.
The farmers of Serenbe Farms will provide entertainment, education, and quality programming for children ages 5-12. Participants will experience a variety of activities, including blueberry picking, hay rides, arts and crafts, and planting, caring for, harvesting, and preparing vegetables.
Reservations are required; email farms manager Paige Witherington at info@serenbefarms.com. The cost per child is $10/day, or $60/child for all 8 weeks.
Family Fun Days
June 30, July 14 & 28, 9 a.m. – noon
Selborne Green
The LaGrange Art Museum and Serenbe Institute invite parents and children to get their creative juices flowing with these fun classes. June 30 will feature 4th of July crafts; make “face jugs” on July 14; and get prepared with “back to school” activities on July 28. Classes are free. For more information, call the LaGrange Art Museum at 706.882.3267.
Evan Levy’s “Cellular Cosmogony” Art Installation
June – August
The Crossroads
Experience acclaimed artist Evan Levy’s newest installation—a science and art project combining sound and visual illusion. Take a seat on the bench and hear what happens… For more information, call StudioSwan art gallery at 770.463.9440.
StudioSwan presents “Dreams: Bright and Dark”
Curated by Jerry Cullum
June 9 – August 13
Visit StudioSwan art gallery to experience this intriguing exhibition featuring the works of Emily Karcher, Jody Fausett (courtesy of Whitespace), Heather Hartman, Amanda Palmer, Meta Gary, Sonya Jilani, and Shana Robbins. A catalogue is available.
Tree House Opening Party
June 26, 9 – 11 a.m.
The kids of Serenbe and the “Tree House Committee” invite you to the official opening of the Tree House. Follow the trail leading from the Selborne Courtyard.
“Dessert & Drinks Potluck” & Movie in the Courtyard:
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
June 27, Potluck @ 8 p.m., Showtime @ 9 p.m.
Selborne Courtyard
Bring a dessert or your favorite drink (i.e., a pitcher of lemonade or a few cupcakes; a six pack of Sweetwaters or a dozen sugar cookies; a pitcher of mojitos or a key lime pie). Also, bring your own plate, utensil & glass, plus a blanket or chair.
Kids’ Activity Tuesdays
Every Tuesday in July, 9 – 11 a.m.
Kara Nygren & Dallas Nevins are heading up this series of fun adventures, which will feature activities like a visit to the animal village, cupcake decorating and more. Meet at the Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop; a nominal fee will be charged. A full schedule will be released at the Tree House party on June 26.
July 4th Parade
Bring your family, friends, tractor, wagon, or horse and join in on the Serenbe July 4th Parade! Costumes (for yourself, your pets, etc.) are highly encouraged. Enter at the Atlanta-Newnan Road entrance, assemble along Augusta Lane, and parade down to the Blue Eyed Daisy. If you’d rather just watch—grab a lemonade, take a seat on Selborne Lane, and enjoy…
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra @ Hutcheson Ferry Park
August 10, 7:30 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.)
The Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance and the Fulton County Arts Council present the 3rd annual ASO free concert at Hutcheson Ferry Park as part of the ASO summer park concert series. The park is located at 9774 Hutcheson Ferry Road; the concert and parking are free, and picnics are welcome. A pre-concert gala dinner will be held at the Serenbe pavilion, hosted by the three Serenbe restaurants and chefs—Chef Hilary White of The Hil, Chef Tony Seichrist of The Farmhouse, and Chef Nicolas Bour of The Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop. Tickets are $125/person will all proceeds benefiting the Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance. For more information on the concert, visit www.chatthillcountry.org. To purchase tickets to the gala dinner or become a sponsor, call Serenbe Development at 770.463.2609.
Save the Dates...
Pumpkin Glow, October 27:
Start planning your costumes now for Serenbe’s annual fall street party…
Les Dames d’ Escoffier’s Annual Afternoon in the Country, November 4:
Mark your calendars for Atlanta’s culinary event of the year. Visit www.lesdamesatlanta.orgfor more information or to purchase tickets.
2nd Annual Holiday Bazaar, December 2:
An eclectic mix of artisans make for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
Many more events are in the works—we’ll keep you posted...
Looking forward to seeing you at Serenbe. |
|
|
The Best Reason to Live Here is the Life Here… |
 Master Gardener and Serenbe resident Wendy Murray offers this advice on keeping your garden healthy during a drought.
“You can train your plants to work hard and in the end be stronger and more adaptable to adverse conditions, such as drought. If you have cultivated soil, water very deeply once a week. The roots will reach down for water as the soil dries out from the top to the bottom. If you shallow water often, the roots will stay at the surface and dry out quickly. This is especially true for perennials, grass and potted plants.
“Hold back on fertilizing while water restrictions are in place. Fertilizing encourages fast growth, which uses up even more water. Deadheading flowers encourages even growth without fertilizers. As long as plants are deadheaded and can’t go to seed, they will keep producing flowers, since once they’ve made their seeds, their job is finished.
“Make the most of watering potted plants by sticking a small pot stake or even a pencil all through the soil. Many times the tight root ball has compacted and all the watering goes down the sides of the pot. This is one reason why many pots dry out too fast.”
|
|
|
 |
- Pick up the June issue of Southern Living and read a story on the Serenbe community... www.southernliving.com
- Charleston Magazine included a beautiful story on Serenbe (including the Inn, the farm, the Daisy and The Farmhouse) in their June issue... www.charlestonmag.com
- Chef Nicolas Bour of The Blue Eyed Daisy was named a “Hot Chef” in Atlanta Peach magazine’s June/July issue... www.atlantapeach.com
- The Farmhouse has a fan in top Atlanta food critic Meridith Ford, who reviewed the restaurant in last Thursday’s AJC, rating it a “Very Good” three stars... www.accessatlanta.com
|
|
|
|
