IN BRIEF

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Ballpark Named Greenest

The Washington Nationals' ballpark has received the U.S. Green Building Council's National Capital Region's Project of the Year award. The award honored the ballpark's commitment to preserving the environment.

The honor was presented to the joint venture HOK/Devrouax and Purnell Architects and Clark/Hunt Smoot Construction, the design team.

"We are proud to create the first 'green' state of the art ballpark in the country," said Matthew D. Cutts, D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission board chairman.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

The ballpark received LEED silver certification this year for elements such as using high-efficiency field lighting, installing water-conserving plumbing fixtures, placing 100 recycling bins and planting a 6,300-square-foot green roof to collect rainwater and minimize roof heat gain.

Tree Water Bags Offered

The District Department of Transportation's Urban Forestry Administration and Casey Trees are asking for the public's help in taking care of newly planted trees.

Through a pilot program, residents can receive a free "ooze tube," a watering bag designed to help young trees establish themselves in under-irrigated environments.

The plastic tube, which is filled with water and drains out slowly over a week, is easy to maintain, officials said. The bag is refilled in one to two weeks, depending on rain, from June until October. In the winter, the bags are emptied and stored.

The program is part of the District's Tree Watering Campaign to water and maintain the more than 4,000 street trees that have been planted this season.

To order a tube, contact Casey Trees at http://www.caseytrees.org or call 202-671-5113. Participants must provide the approximate address of the adopted tree.

Property Office Names Chief

Louis P. Cannon has been named chief of the Protective Services Division at the D.C. Office of Property Management.

Cannon will be responsible for the security of properties owned and leased by the District, officials saud.

Cannon has more than 30 years of law enforcement and security experience. He was the police chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence and has served for more than 20 years as a D.C. police officer.

Festival Seeks Donors

The POSitivity Festival is seeking sponsors for the Sept. 6 event and a sponsor space to host the festival.

Founded by community advocate Rakia McDonald, the festival aims to offer support for healthy living and showcase options for greater health, happiness and peace.

The program is recruiting instructors, health organizations, businesses, organizations and artists for the festival.

For information, go to http://www.posfest08.pinstripeplanning.com, call McDonald at 240-264-0288 or send an e-mail to rmcdonald@pinstripeplanning.com.

-- Compiled by JILLIAN S. SOWAH