Editor’s Note: The following press release was issued today by APPLE  (Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Local Economy):

Nevada City – In the coming weeks, there will be big changes for the Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE), Nevada County’s leading sustainability education non-profit organization. The organization is shifting gears to focus more on grassroots organizing while simultaneously reducing overhead costs.

“Closing the APPLE Center is not the decision we wanted to make, but it is the fiscally responsible decision we had to make” shares Elaina Breen, APPLE Board member.

The History

The APPLE Center for Sustainable Living opened September 20th, 2009 at 412 Commercial Street following 3 months of volunteer and donation-driven building improvements. The 800 square foot space, owned by Nevada City, was transformed into a model for green and energy efficient building practices. Twenty descriptive plaques mounted around the Center recognize the local business and professionals who contributed to the unique features, which make the building function so well.

“Visitors often comment that the building feels good and smells good, right when they walk in” comments Mali Dyck, APPLE’s executive director who has managed the daily operations of the Center since its conception. “It’s a real testament as to why building ‘green’ is as good for the occupants as it is for the environment.”

The APPLE Center was mainly funded by the Private Industry Council (PIC) of Butte County, from June 2009 through February 2011, when PIC unexpectedly closed its own doors. For the last year, APPLE has tried a number of fund raising approaches to keep the Center open including applying for grants, an APPLE-a- Day donation program, expanding the retail aspect of the Center, and collecting E-waste.

The APPLE Center will end its regular public hours on January 28th.

Message from the Board of Directors

We are deeply grateful to you, dear community members, who have supported\ the APPLE Center as members, customers, participants, volunteers, and donors\ over the last 2 1/2 years. We are sad to leave the Center, but want to assure you that APPLE’s mission and programs will continue to serve our community, just as it did before the Center opened. APPLE will remain an active 501c3 non-profit and we look forward to engaging new volunteers, community organizers and participants to continue this good work.

Upcoming Events:

Book Club Launch Reception: January 12, 2012 6:30 at the APPLE Center. Everyone is welcome to join APPLE’s new book club, learn about the first book and meet the other participants at this event.

Discussion Group Planning Meeting: February 15th 6:30 – 8pm at the APPLE Center. All are welcome to hear reports from the first 6 discussion groups launched and start new groups on topics such as NC -Transition Town, local sustainability policy opportunities, shared ownership of tools/equipment, or starting a local food buying club.

Closing Reception to Celebrate the Center: February 18th, 2012 7pm-10pm at the APPLE Center. Come celebrate and share stories and memories with us. Light hors d’oeuvres and local wines will be served.

APPLE’s Highlights from 2011 include:

• Backyard chicken ordinances passed in both Nevada City and Grass Valley allowing residents to grow their own source of protein at home.

• Gorilla Love Project built and distributed 40 micro-homes for the homeless.

• Gold Country Gleaners harvested over 3500 pounds of otherwise wasted fruit and delivered it to people in need.

• A.P.P.L.E. premiered at the Nevada County Home Show and County Fair with educational demos and booth displays resulting in over 1000 new contacts. Thanks to the Strong Foundation for the outreach grant which paid for these booth fees and outreach materials.

• Mannafest 2010 chose A.P.P.L.E. as its beneficiary, raising almost $3000 through sponsorships, silent auction, raffles, and vendor fees, not to mention fun and further exposure for A.P.P.L.E.

• Homesteading Demo Day welcomed 75 participants for 8 educational demos and 2 homestead tours, inspiring dozens to convert their homes into homesteads.

• The APPLE Center gift shop generated $6800 in sales revenue for local and regional makers, authors, farmers, and artists.

To learn more about APPLE and the APPLE Center, visit APPLECenter.org.