The Week in Green: September 7-14th

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
leaves from freefoto.com
leaves from freefoto.com

Yes, we’re all lamenting the end of summer. But cooler temperatures bring lots of events from workshops to street festivals to networking happy hours. Let the social season begin.

Tuesday September 8th

Green Drinks

6:30-9:30 at Current (1215 Connecticut Avenue, 202-955-5525). The usual suspects, a green signature cocktail, and a presentation by the authors of a new book on green jobs.

Thursday September 10th

Making Solar Energy Competitive: Swiss and American Perspectives

6 pm lecture followed by reception at the Embassy of Switzerland (2900 Cathedral Ave., NW).  Experts from two leading Swiss solar companies and from America’s premier solar research institution will discuss how technical innovation and manufacturing improvements have the potential to trigger the rapid growth of this renewable energy source. Cohosted by DC Green Connection. RSVP to was.events@eda.admin.ch

Saturday September 12th

Wash Your Hands of Triclosan Drop-Off

10-2 at the Whole Foods on P Street NW. Food & Water Watch will collect unwanted consumer products containing triclosan in hazardous waste bins and will haul them to the Fort Totten Trash Transfer Station for proper disposal. Simultaneously, all Whole Foods Markets in the Washington D.C area will offer an in-store promotion, buy one get one free, on triclosan-free antibacterial products through September 15th.

Sunday September 13th

The Green Pavilion at Adams Morgan Day

12-7 in Adams Morgan (18th Street between Columbia Rd. and Florida Ave.). Food, music, and a new Green Pavilion featuring local green vendors including Clean Currents, Treincarnation, Greater Goods, Skincando, Tranquil Space, the Sierra Club DC, Natural Body Spa & Shoppe, and more.

Organic Gardening Workshop

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
courtesy freefoto.com
courtesy freefoto.com

Have a green thumb or want to cultivate one? On Saturday, August, 29, 2009 from 9:00am to 12:00pm, the National Zoo’s Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability will be offering a workshop on organic gardening for anyone interested in growing plants, fruits, and vegetables in an environmentally sustainable way.

The workshop will be taught in the auditorium of the Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, VA by Tanya Amrheim Paull, the vegetable garden manager of the sustainable, chemical-free Belle Meade School and Farm.

Topics will include

–composting
–natural methods of pest control
–water conservation
–indoor gardening
–native plants, vegetables, and herbs for the autumn growing season.

Participants will leave prepared to turn their own gardens into sustainable havens.  The cost of attendance for FONZ members is $55; for non-members, the cost is $70.  Interested participants may register online by August 26 at Conservation Training.

Can’t make the workshop? Here are some organic gardening tips, courtesy of the Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability.

  • Choose native plants. They are already suited to the biological and climatic conditions of your garden and do not require additional water or chemical additives.
  • Put your vegetable scraps to work! Create a compost pile. You will both reduce waste and add nutrients to your garden.
  • If rainwater is not enough to keep your plants healthy, try to water in the early morning or late evening to avoid waste through evaporation.
  • Consider running a soil test. You can then determine the plants that will thrive in your garden without the application of fertilizers.
  • Before turning to chemical pesticides, do some research. You may be able to find plants that you can add to your garden to serve as all-natural pest deterrents.

The Week in Green: August 10-18

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
Thanks to FreeFoto.com
Thanks to FreeFoto.com

August is the cruelest month. At least in DC, where 95% humidity is the norm. Fret not. We’ve pulled together a few activities that are either indoors or close to H2O so you can avoid turning into human jerky this week.

Tuesday August 11

Green Drinks at Gazuza (1629 Connecticut Ave.), 6:30-9:30. We recommend arriving early so you can hunker down at the indoor bar. In addition to the usual eco-minded mingling, Live Green will be selling their last round of raffle tickets and Dan Morrison, Executive Director of 1Well — an organization that partners socially and environmentally conscious individuals with small but critical projects for a community in need — is the guest speaker.

Thursday August 13

After 5 at the Phillips Collection. This week, enjoy jazz, art, and a “tasting of summer” courtesy of FRESHFARM markets.

All week

No swimming pool in the back yard? Then head to one of the District’s public pools for a free dip. Since this week is expected to be extra toasty, the DPR is extending hours at 13 outdoor swimming pools from 11 am to 9 pm, Mon-Wed. Visit the DC Department of Parks and Recreation for hours and locations.

The Week in Green

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Not everyone is on the Vineyard or in the Hamptons. For us poor basterds left to sweat it out in our soupy city, here are a few things to do this week.

Tuesday, July 28

“Going Green for Jewelry” Fashion Show

Where: Poste Brasserie (555 8th St., NW), 6-10

Looking for a new bauble that says you’re all about Mother Earth? Then Evelyn Brooks Designs might be right up your alley. Brooks recycles materials, eliminates emissions from the production process, and works with natural seeds from the Amazon. The fashion show, which takes place on 123rd Independence Day for Peru, is inspired by “Tapadas Limenas,” women from the Peruvian Virreynal Era (1560-186) who covered their faces and heads with Spanish-style veils,

Wednesday, July 29

Lotions & Potions Workshop

Where: Greater Goods (1626 U St., NW), 8-9 pm, $12 (50% goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation)

Get your organic DIY on. For the Love of owner Kristina Libby will teach you how to make your own signature scent body scrub and bath salt.

Thursday, July 30

Birthright Earth Happy Hour

Where: Garretts (3003 M St., NW), 9-close (happy hour prices from 9-10).

This non-profit funds “eye-opening” trips to the rainforests of South America. Unfortunately for us, you need to be 18-26 to participate in the trips but anyone of any age can attend the happy hour and contribute to the cause. Recommended donation at the door is $10.

Saturday, August 1

GO Urban Adventure Race

Where: All over town, 12 p.m-5 p.m.

Think the Amazing Race on a Lilliputian scale. This scavenger hunt is “loaded with physical and mental challenges,” starts at noon, and can last up to five hours (God help you). All clues and responses will be through SMS messaging, so Luddites will need to sit this one out. You can run, jog, walk, or take public transportation to reach your GOpoints but no bikes, taxis, or rollerblades.

The race centers around businesses and organizations that provide healthy and sustainable options, and that follow sustainable business models. The winning team will get $400 in cash plus a month’s worth of tea from Honest Tea. We’ll drink to that.

Green Events in July

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
DC in bloom
DC in bloom

From a farm-to-table dinner under the stars to eco-friendly polo games, there’s a green event for everyone this month.

Saturday July 11th, 9 pm

Bastille Chic at the Darlington House (1610 20th street NW Washington DC) featuring eco-friendly fashion and art, as well as music by French DJ Sebastien C. Admission is $10; email info@planetechic.com to get on the guest list.

Saturday July 11th, 6-9

Dinner Under the Stars at Butler’s Orchard. Mosaic Cuisine and Cafe is hosting an outdoor dinner at Butler’s Orchard to “minimize as much as possible our carbon foot print, eat healthy and happy in the best company of friends and cricket’s courting songs.” For more info and reservations contact tjugnet@mosaiccuisine.com.

Tuesday July 14th

Green Drinks at Public Bar (1214 18th St. NW)

Saturday July 18th, 12 pm to 6 pm

The Green Cup of Polo, the only green certified polo event in the world, will be held at the Capitol Polo Club in Maryland, and will feature:

  • Organic and sustainably harvested food and beverages in the VIP, hospitality tents, and general admission areas
  • Volunteer t-shirts produced from organic cotton, and printed with soy- or vegetable-based ink.
  • Marketing material and the program printed on at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled paper with soy- or vegetable-based ink.
  • Recycling and composting during the event.
  • Biodegradable serviceware.
  • Grandstand cleaning done by an eco-friendly cleaning company, which uses biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
  • A showcase of environmental organizations and corporations that promote green living.
  • Reusable VIP bags

This year’s profits will go to support ACORE (American Council On Renewable Energy), EPIC (Equestrian Partners in Conservation), and EarthEcho International.

Monday July 20, 8 pm

Screen on the Green returns to the National Mall. After a huge public outcry, movies under the stars are back. This season kicks off with “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

Tuesday July 21, 5:30 pm

Join DC’s top chefs and mixologists for the In Our Hands Soiree at Policy (1904 14th Street, NW ). The event is organized by Meshelle & Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve and Ellen and Chef Todd Gray of Equinox who have been working with the Humane Society of the U.S to bring attention to the Protect the Seals campaign, and to honor the participants of the Canadian seafood boycott. Proceeds from cocktails sold that evening will be donated to the HSUS, and an oversized petition will be available for guests to sign in an effort to show their support.

Thursday July 23, 5:30

Green Drinks Bethesda at Redwood, 7121 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, Md.