Events: Tour solar-powered and green homes across the area

The 28th Annual Metropolitan Washington, DC Solar & Green Home Tour takes place on October 6 and 7 from 11 am to 5 pm. More than 40 homes will be open to the public in this self-guided tour. Participants will learn from homeowners — instead of contractors — about the many practical considerations involved in installing and operating solar electricity and hot water systems, geothermal systems, emergency battery back-up systems, electric cars, rain gardens, and more.

Hosts will share real-world results, including money saved on utility bills, reduced taxes from limited-time tax credits, and the satisfaction of reducing pollution and their carbon footprint. A 32-page tour guide may be downloaded at www.solartour.org.

Don't forget GGWash's sustainable commute panel:

Join us on October 11 at 6 pm at the WeWork K Street (1875 K Street NW) to hear a panel of experts including District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Jeff Marootian discuss how DC can achieve the exciting goal of increasing the city's walking, biking, and scooting mode share to 25%! Tickets are $10.

Other events from around the region:

Monday, October 1

Network with network designers: Join (the waitlist for) a conversation at 6 pm at the Georgetown School of Continuing Studies (640 Massachusetts Ave. NW) with renowned transit planner and Human Transit author Jarrett Walker. Jarrett and JWA Senior Associate Scudder Wagg will discuss best practices in network design, including how to plan systems as transit trends shift, within the context of the Washington region. Jarrett's book, Human Transit, is available for purchase at Island Press (use the code 5TRANSIT for 20% off!).

Tuesday, October 2

Hobnob with a transportation bigwig: Join the Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) at 5:30 pm at DDOT (55 M Street Southeast) for the next installment of their Speaker Series’ featuring Grover Burthey, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at the US Department of Transportation. In his role at USDOT, Burthey oversees both the Office of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation and the Build America Bureau.

Learn about Administration’s infrastructure policies and priorities, and the role that USDOT plays in providing access to credit and grants as well as technical assistance to encourage innovative infrastructure deployment. Register here.

Saturday, October 6

Go-go to an urban farm: Enjoy a performance by 2018/19 Mars Urban Arts Initiative ensemble-in-residence VeVe & tha Rebels at one of DC’s most vibrant urban farms, The Farm at Kelly Miller. The band’s lead singer Violet (“VeVe”) is a champion of urban farming and works with this farm program to support the wellness of Ward 7 residents. VeVe & Tha Rebels is a DC-based Afro-folk band led by singer-songwriter Violet Marley. The Afro-folk sound is a mixture of folk, blues, go-go and reggae. Get your free tickets here!

Check out more urbanist events at ggwash.org/calendar. Do you have an event you'd like to see featured in the weekly events post? Submit it here.