hmmmmmmmmmmmm......Sittting down on the job!

Hello Cleveland............,WV - Cristi's Cook Shack

Cristi's Cook Shack is not in Ohio. It's in Cleveland, WV on Rt 20, south of Buckhannon, just into Webster County.

I wanted to post this b/c I'm excited about the prospect of stopping in again. I love food (good food) and I spend a lot of time on small roads throughout the Mountain State without the benefit of a Cook Shack nearby. Cristi's is so exceptional that it would be worth scheduling in as a day trip destination.

You can read reviews and get the digits for Cristi's at Urbanspoon. Cristi is open 7 days a week for breakfast (all day), lunch, and dinner. Cleveland, WV was established as a timber camp back in the peak lumber years. There is a gallery of historic photos on the walls and the converted gas station is renovated to give the feel of a lumber-era dining room - it's super cool and in a super sweet part of the state.

Not to go on about Cristi's, but............she had these great dinner specials on the menu that included things like Jambalaya for Fat Tuesday and Corned Beef w/ Cabbage for St. Pat's. And there was wine, and beer, and stone ground grits (I love grits), and huge hamburgers, and belgian pancakes, sandwiches with sauteed fresh greens and cheddar jack cheese......and all the bread is homemade too! All of this right in Cleveland!

WV Small Farms Conference - Better and Better Every Year!

Just a quick note to follow-up on the single best way to welcome Spring back to the Mountain State - the WV Small Farms Conference. The event wrapped up on Saturday concluding a great three days of presentations, contests, and eating. Take a look to see some of the sumptuous photos that are included on the wvfarm2u blog (I love seeing fresh greens at this time of year - yum!!). As one conference goer noted, "The meals are worth the price of registration." I quite agree. It was a record year for the event in terms of revenue for the Winter Blues Farmers Market event and overall attendance. Next year (2013) the event will run from Feb 28 - Mar 2. Good food is good energy!

Alternative Energy at WV Small Farm Conference

West Virginia Small Farm Conference
Mar. 1-3, 2012
Waterfront Conference Center
Morgantown, WV

Alternative energy is once again prominently featured at this years WV Small Farm Conference. PIMBY will be doing a full-day workshop on Thursday (Mar. 1) focused on renewable energy basics (solar and wind electric) coupled with some hands-on activities.

Additionally, a 1-hour presentation on Saturday (Mar. 3) will address the siting of solar and wind energy systems for your home, farm or business.

This annual conference is a great time. It is such a nice way to get energized for the upcoming growing season. If you have not been before you should be aware that the banquet meals themselves are worth the registration fee - what good food!

Here's a sample of the conference topics this year:
Tom's Tax Tips, Mushrooms, Woodlot Management, Pole Buildings, Beekeeping, Aquaponics, Cheese Making, High Tunnels, Marcellus Taxation, Poultry Production, Small Ruminants, Farmers Markets, Aquaculture, Edible Landscaping, Medicinal Plants, Strawberries, Cut Flowers .................................................!!

Taproot Farm

Taproot Farm
Capon Bridge, WV

Curious about straw bale or cob construction? Be sure to take a look at Taproot Farm's web site. They have opportunities upcoming where you can get your hands dirty and make something beautiful.

See the blog entry about Taproot's 5-kW solar PV array by clicking here.

Good Energy: Urban Side (Flying Dreams?)

Babby-B! You're gonna love this one!!

West Virginia Solar: Bills in the Legislature Right Now!

Two bills are slated to go to the WV House Judiciary Committee this week. You can help them pass into law. Contact info for members of the committee can be found here.

Do you have a solar PV system already? Do you plan to have one in the future? Do you hope that these systems will become more ubiquitous throughout the Mountain State?

If so, these bills are worth your attention and your time - your phone call could help sway the vote. The bills are collectively referred to as the Solar Bill of Rights. The two bills address HOA restrictions and the taxation of solar energy systems.

A troupe of folks are at the capital helping to shepherd these bills along. John Christensen is helping to coordinate the effort and he has summarized the bills as follows:

HB 2740 is the bill which makes Homeowner’s Association’s (HOA) covenants that restrict the installation or use of solar energy systems unenforceable. The bill sets guidelines for timely permitting as well as recognized proper installation of the solar photovoltaic (pv) and solar thermal systems (shw) and provides for recognized certified standards in materials and performance in the systems. The bill also provides civil penalties for non-compliance to be paid to the applicant by the HOA in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 and indemnify or reimburse any loss or damage caused by the installer to be paid to the HOA to or its members.

HB 2741 is the bill which gives owners of active solar energy systems a substantial reduction on their real and personal property taxes as it would be taxed at salvage value for tax reappraisal purposes. The bill would become law only if it makes its way through the entire legislative process before midnight on March 10, 2012, and then subsequently signed by the governor. The bill defines what an “active solar system” can be either solar (pv) or (shw) in nature including all parts and materials. The bill also addresses new construction and how the assessment will be handled before and after subsequent change in ownership. This bill started out to exempt the tax altogether but was found to be unconstitutional in a fiscal note provided to the finance committee last year therefore a subcommittee bill will be offered instead.

These bills were originally introduced last year. They have undergone some refinement and have gained some notable support. Del Mannypenny (D-Taylor) is the lead sponsor. If you have more questions about these bills you can contact John Christensen (john@mtvsolar.com) or take a look at the Legislative Update offered by the WV Environmental Council.

The update includes more bills than simply the Solar Bill of Rights. Bills critical to energy efficiency standards, bottle recycling and many many others are included. If you have not looked at the WVEC Legislative Update before it may be an eye opening experience.