Green June Events

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

The heat is on for a few excellent green events in June. Here are our picks:

Eco Israel
A delegation of environmental activists and educators from Israel will conduct several interactive workshops to help make your life more green and inform you about environmental challenges facing Israel. Topics include: Israel’s carbon footprint, herb gardening, and green projects for disadvantaged populations. Free Israeli snacks will be provided by Israeli Harvest.

When: Sunday June 6th, 11:30 am
Where: Washington DCJCC, 1529 16th Street NW
RSVP

Green Drinks
This month GreenDrinksDC celebrates its first Go Green–Enroll Now! party. Clean Currents and GreenDrinksDC are teaming up to encourage you to convert to wind power for your home. Just bring your Pepco account number and they can sign you up on the spot.

When: Monday June 7th, 6:30-9:30
Where: 1905 Restaurant, 1905 9th Street NW

Solar Bethesda Expo
Bethesda Green, a local non-profit model for sustainable living practices, is launching its inaugural Solar Bethesda Expo, which will feature solar providers, cooperative purchasers, government and financing specialists, and more. Homeowners and others will have an opportunity to get the latest information about solar-powered technologies, purchasing and investment opportunities, and incentives for home installation.

When: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 10 am – 4 pm
Where: 4825 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda

Sustainability Hour
Organized by the Sustainable Business Network (SB NOW), this event is perfect for meeting and networking with individuals representing businesses, non-profits, government agencies, and entrepreneurs who are not only committed to promoting sustainable practices, but also to developing business opportunities and expanding their networks.

When: Monday, June 14, 2010, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Where: Sonoma, 222 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Cost: $10; RSVP and more information

Find out about even more green events from our friends over at GreenListDC.

Eco Women, Green Drinks, and More May Events

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Keeping up with all of the green happenings around DC is practically a full-time job. Luckily for you, dear reader, we’ve taken the legwork out of finding the most worthwhile eco-related events in May. Here are our picks:

Emerging Green Builders at Hands On DC’s Annual Work-a-Thon
When: Saturday May 15 9am-3pm
Emerging Green Builder’s May volunteer event is the Hands on DC’s annual Work-a-thon to help beautify DC Public Schools.  To join the EGB team, visit Hands On DC and choose the team name “Emerging Green Builders” when registering.

EcoHour: Balancing an Urban Lifestyle with Healthful Habits: Mind, Body & Spirit
When: May 18th, 6pm to 8 pm
Where: Teasim, 400 8th St., NW
If you are looking for some tips for how to balance your life in a healthful way, you won’t want to miss this EcoHour! Mary Kearns, owner of Herban Lifestyle, inspires others to live life in a healthful, balanced way. The mission of Mary’s company is to promote beauty and self-care while supporting the health and well-being of people and the planet through high-quality bath and body products handcrafted with natural, organic, and Fair Trade ingredients. RSVP by emailing: RSVP@Ecowomen.org.

Green Drinks DC
When:May 18th, 6:30-9:30
Where: Local 16, 1602 U Street NW
A monthly gathering of green-minded folks that features a 10-minute spotlight, networking galore, and happy hour drink specials. Local 16 is 100% Wind Powered and uses some ingredients from Whipple Farms, a 160-acre farm in Virginia offering heirloom vegetables using biodynamic principles. This year, GreenDrinksDC is raising $3,050 to cover solar lanterns for the Khengarpar community in India that is currently without electricity.

Bike to Work Day
When: May 21st, beginning at 6:30 am
Join the Bethesda Transportation Solutions staff and Maryland State Delegate Bill Bronrott at the Bethesda pit stop (Reed Street, at the corner of Bethesda Ave & Woodmont Ave).  Attendees will enjoy breakfast, prizes, DJ entertainment, bike tune-ups on site by REI and City Bikes, and more, all for FREE! Register in advance online.

Cocktails for Creatures
When: May 21st, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m
Where: FunXion, 1309 F St., NW
Organized by Nightlife to Nature, this fundraiser and silent auction will raise money for the Jaguar Sanctuary de Playa Chiquita and Global Volunteer Network. The event will feature comedian Tehran SoParvaz, magician David Breth, and Haitian percussionist Names Thompson. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres  and organic wine will be provided. Suggested donation is $10.

EcoTour: Green Buildings
When: Saturday May 22, 2010 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
The U.S. Green Building Council’s EcoTour will highlight two to three sustainable, LEED-rated buildings and methods in DC. Participants will need to bring lunch as well as a bike since the tour covers 5 to 8 miles. Please RSVP: ncr-egb.cochair@gmail.com

Earth Day Events Galore

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

From dining on local food and organic wine to cleaning up the Anacostia to the Climate Rally on the Mall, there’s something for everyone this week to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on Thursday.

Here are a few more excellent sources for all that’s green and happening this week.

The Natural Capital offers their top picks for celebrating Earth Day with a focus on outdoor activities.

Donna Childress over at We Love DC has pulled together a nearly exhaustive list of Earth Day activities from Green Drinks to the Sweetlife Festival to several green film screenings.

Did we miss something? Feel free to add in the “comments” section.

Sustainable Happy Hours

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

We love the idea of  supporting local restaurants that offer tasty sustainable cuisine and cheap happy hour deals. Here are our top picks:

CommonWealth Gastropub
It’s bloody cold out. Shake off the icicles and get yourself over to the happy hour (4-7) at CommonWealth which includes a selection of local beer, 1/2 price selections of wine, and 1/2 off grassfed burgers (Wednesdays) that are out of this world. For a complete rundown of what’s available, check out the review written by our friends over at Sustainable in the City.

Dino
A menu planned around weekly finds at the Dupont Farmer’s Market and meats and seafood from all natural and sustainable sources. Those are just a few reasons to love Dino in Cleveland Park. Want more? How about an amazing happy hour from 5:30-7 (Sunday-Fridays) featuring free antipasti and 25% off drinks. Oh, and bartender Scott is a master mixologist and will help you find the perfect glass to accompany your meal.

Poste Brasserie
We’ve written about Poste’s sustainable practices before. This time, we’re all about the deal. Next time you find yourself killing time before an event at the Verizon Center, stop by from 4 to 7 (Monday-Friday) and enjoy $5 glasses of red and white wine, $5 beer, and truffled frites for just $5.

Radius Pizza
This Mount Pleasant eatery was recently bought by former Poste Brasserie employees Todd and Nicole Wiss. Although they still serve pizza, the menu now focuses on local and organic ingredients and more upscale fare. Happy hour is 5-7 and on Wednesdays you get a free bottle of vino with the purchase of a large pizza and appetizer or two entrees and an appetizer.

Redwood
Tucked away in Bethesda Row, Redwood serves a seasonal menu that showcases the best mid-Atlantic ingredients. Meats, cheeses, produce, and seafood are naturally-raised, organic, or sustainable whenever possible and are sourced from local growers. A thoughtful wine list features some organic wines and small production vintners who practice sustainable viticulture. Belly up to the 75-seat white-marble bar and treat yourself to $4-$5 food and drink specials Monday – Friday from 4 to 7:00pm.

What did we miss? Feel free to post your favorite sustainable happy hour spots in the comments section.

Green Events: December

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Still feeling the sour aftertaste of 2009? Get into the holiday spirit with these three fun eco-fab events.

Monday December 7th

Kickoff to Copenhagen 2009 Holiday Mixer

Join the DC Green Connection and CarbonfreeDC for the “Kickoff to Copenhagen” holiday mixer. Learn about what’s going on at the Copenhagen Climate Change discussions from climate policy expert Will Gartshore, enjoy Restaurant 1905’s  cocktails and food samples, and network with other greenminded Washingtonians.

There will also be a small silent auction with proceeds going to support CarbonfreeDC’s efforts to green low-income neighborhoods as well as to promote the DCGC mission of educating consumers and growing the green economy.

When:  December 7, 2009, 6:00-9:0o pm
Where: 1905 9th St. NW, upstairs (*Near U St. Cardoza Metro stop on 9th & U)
Tickets: $15 General, $12 DCGC Members. Includes one free drink, appetizers, and drink specials all evening. (Cash/check at the door)
RSVP: dcgreenconnection@gmail.com

Tuesday December 8th

Green Drinks

The monthly gathering is back–this time at Farmers & Fishers. Adrienne Spahr, Founder of Green Living Consulting will offering green holiday tips.

When: Tuesday, December 8th, 6:30-9:30 pm
Where: Farmers & Fishers (formerly Agraria) on the Georgetown Waterfront (Fountain Level), 3000 K St. NW
RSVP: Green Drinks on Facebook

Tuesday December 15th

DC EcoWomen Holiday Party

Join the DC EcoWomen (and men, this time) for a happy hour and networking event. Enjoy light appetizers and a cash bar at one of DC’s leading sustainable restaurants, Farmers & Fishers.

When: Tuesday, December 15th, 6:00-8:00 pm
Where: Farmers & Fishers (formerly Agraria) on the Georgetown Waterfront, 3000 K St. NW (in the Sunflower Room)
RSVP: Strongly encouraged through the group’s Facebook Event Page. If you’re not a Facebook member, RSVP to rsvp@ecowomen.org.