Earth Day, DC Style

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Unless you’ve really been living off the grid, you know that next Wednesday April 22 is Earth Day. And there is no better place to be than DC.

Kick off the week-long celebration with the Earth Day Network’s event on the National Mall, Sunday April 19. Don’t miss the Eco-Roadshow with exhibits from green companies, non-profits, and embassies as well as music performances by the Flaming Lips, DJ Spooky, and Los Lobos.

The event is also the official launch of The Green Generation, a two-year initiative that focuses on ordinary people who are doing their part to help find solutions to urgent national and global issues, such as climate change or the world’s water crises.

Want to get involved? Check out the Green Apple Festival, where you can volunteer to clean up parks, build green homes, plant trees and more.

For more local Earth Day events, check out the Washingtonian’s After Hours blog.

Just Cause for Earth Rights

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

My pals Nancy and Sheryl have started a great group caused “Just Cause,” which is basically your typical happy hour with a twist. Each month, they host a happy hour and donate part of the proceeds to a charity. This month, that charity is Earth Rights International.

Earth Rights International documents human rights and environmental abuses in countries where few other organizations can safely operate. The organization also organizes human rights and environmental communities around earth rights issues such as protecting the Amazon.

On April 23, to coincide with Earth Day, Just Cause will be held at Current Sushi (formerly Dragonfly), 1215 Connecticut Ave., from 6-8:30. The cover is $10, which all goes to Earth Rights International, plus there will be a raffle with goodies from CakeLove, Tranquil Space Yoga, Even Keel, Health Bites, and more.

So, come on out, have a drink (or two), and support a great earthy-friendly cause!

Eco-Friendly Art

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Enjoy art with a touch of green at several Torpedo Factory studios next month. Visit the Target Gallery on Thursday April 9th from 6-8pm for the Reclaimed reception, which features an installation built entirely from recycled materials.

Weapons of Mass Consumption by Rosemary Luckett
Weapons of Mass Consumption by Rosemary Luckett

In the main hall of the Torpedo Factory, visitors can participate in building a “handmade garden,” which will include a large tree, garden wall, and flowers — all made from recycled objects.

The project, led by Torpedo Factory artists Lisa Schumaier and Alison Sigethy, will be built from recycled materials that have been collected by members of the community, including Taylor Elementary School in Arlington.

The same night, there’s a show of reused and recycled art at the Art League Gallery from 6:30-8pm and Recycle in Time for Spring Cleaning at Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery.

Green on the Screen

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
Credit: Purple Turtle Films
Credit: Purple Turtle Films

Oceans, honeybees, and our very own Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora fame are highlights from the 17th annual Environmental Film Festival that will be held March 11 through 22.

The health and sustainability of earth’s oceans and sea life is a major theme of the 2009 Festival, which features 56 world premieres. Fifty-four filmmakers will discuss their work at the Festival along with 69 scientists, environmental experts and special guests including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Hedrick Smith who will speak about toxins in our waters and show clips from his upcoming film, Poisoned Waters.

The 2009 Festival also presents a retrospective of 11 environmentally oriented films by renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog, including his most recent, Encounters at the End of the World about scientists at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

Nora! celebrates the life and achievements of Nora Pouillon, who opened the nation’s first certified organic restaurant. Among her many achievements, Pouillon has established personal and professional relationships with farmers around the national capital region and helped establish FRESHFARM Markets. A discussion with filmmaker Sandy Cannon-Brown and Nora Pouillon follows the screening.

The Buzz About Bread & Brew

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Tired of the same old BonBellyCosi routine? Take heart. Bread & Brew, which opened at 1247 20th Street in mid January, elevates lunchtime options to a new level by being one of only four DC-area restaurants certified by the Green Restaurant Association.

Owner Teri VanGoethem has incorporated earth friendly practices throughout her new casual dining spot including biodegradable to-go containers and catering packaging. There’s also a chandelier made from recycled beer bottles and reusable water bottles that can be purchased and refilled every time you come in.

The menu features artisan pizzas, organic espresso and coffee, sandwiches, quiche, and soups made with fresh, natural ingredients from local purveyors like Hawthorne Bakery (Severna Park) and Counter Culture.

Buzz heard on DonRockwell and other foodie blogs suggests the food is tasty, if a bit more expensive than some other nearby lunch spots that don’t source locally or emphasize green practices.