New Twists on Green Events

Photo courtesy of
‘Day 7 – Duck Shoot’
courtesy of ‘DaGoaty’

From the deep, dark motives of rubber duckies to shivering dips in the chilly Chesapeake Bay to free tickets to the Washington Auto Show, there’s some creativity in the next couple of weeks’ green events. Without further ado, here are some new ways to save the planet.

Learn If a Duck Is Plotting to Kill You
Wednesday, Jan. 20
6:30 p.m.

Slow Death by Rubber Duck – Discussion and Book Signing
Downtown/U Street Corridor
Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St., NW

To research their new book, authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie spent a week eating and breathing things that are abundant in our homes and offices, from dust to shampoos and toothpaste.

Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things tells the story of the toxins that accumulated in their bodies during that short time and jumps from there to the corporations that make these toxins, the governments that stand by and watch, and the effect it has on people worldwide.

Come for a talk and signing. The book is said to be hopeful, empowering readers with simple ideas for protecting themselves and bringing positive change.

Photo courtesy of

courtesy of ‘smooshmasterflex’

Take a Polar Bear Plunge
Saturday, Jan. 23
10:30 a.m.

Keep Winter Cold
Annapolis
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Phillip Merrill Environmental Center, 6 Herndon Ave.

Join hundreds of climate activists and take a refreshing leap into a wintry Chesapeake Bay! The plunge will raise money and awareness for the fight against global warming. It’ll make clear a continuing call for Congress and our nation to keep winter cold. And I dare say it will make you feel just a bit chilly.

Photo courtesy of
‘road trip’
courtesy of ‘Robert Couse-Baker’

Zip Around Town, Carbon-free
Monday, Jan. 25
6:30 p.m.

Clean, Local Transportation Options Workshop
Downtown
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. N.W.

Join CarbonfreeDC for a practical workshop on clean personal transportation options.. This event will cover how to choose between diesel/gas/hybrid/plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, depending on your own commute and living situation. Speakers will give advice on how to reduce your environmental footprint and save money in a traditional vehicle with special “hypermileage” techniques. Lastly, they’ll reflect on the evolution of transportation in the DC Metro area.

Benoit Colin, an independent expert on clean transportation and a fervent advocate for car-sharing and bike-sharing, will speak. He is affiliated with Plug In America, the largest customer advocacy group for plug-in vehicles.

You also could win free tickets to the Washington Auto Show on Jan. 27-31, which will feature the latest in hybrid and electric vehicles.

Photo courtesy of
‘Carrots’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Bring Food to the City
Tuesday, Jan. 26
6:30 – 8 p.m.

For the Greener Good: Urban Agriculture
Downtown
National Building Museum, 401 F St., N.W.

Given that the average grocery store vegetable travels 1,500 miles to reach our plates, city leaders and community activists are investigating how we can increase farming inside our city limits. Come to this event to learn how to create oases where there once were food deserts.

Speakers include Josh Viertel, President, Slow Food USA; Liz Falk, Director and co-Founder, DC-based Common Good City Farm; and Steve Cohen, food policy and programs, Portland, Oregon’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Allison Arieff, Food and Shelter Ambassador, GOOD and “By Design” columnist, The New York Times, will moderate.

Talk About Being Sustainable
Wednesday, Jan. 27
7 – 9 p.m.

Choices for Sustainability
Bethesda
Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., 2nd Floor

Join Marney Bruce from Simplicity Matters to learn about the Northwest Earth Institute discussion circles. These six- to eight-session discussion circles create community, help transform values and habits, and provide a wonderful opportunity for deep conversation about important topics of our time.

These groups plan to:

  • Explore the meaning of sustainability.
  • Consider the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on the earth.
  • Learn about steps that can be taken to move toward ecologically sustainable organizations, lifestyles, and communities.

Learn the Basics of Bethesda Green
Thursday, Jan. 28
4 – 5:30 p.m.

BG 101 — History, Events and Volunteer Opportunities
Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., 2nd Floor

This monthly session for newcomers, young and old, will provide an introduction to Bethesda Green and offer ways to get involved.

An area resident since 1997, Donna C. is a DC outsider. When she’s not running her writing and Web business, she’s running around the city, exploring the great outdoors, or trying to figure out how best to go green. See why she loves DC.

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