>> Always dreamed of being batwoman? Upcycle an umbrella and be one at the Halloween Masked Ball at G2 Gallery in Venice tomorrow night, Oct. 30!

>> Are you a starving green grad student? Get an eco-fellowship to study pressing enviro issues in the L.A. area, thanks to the Los Angeles Sustainability Collaborative.

>> Still haven’t seen Ed Begley, Jr. in person? That’s a clear sign you need to get out to more green events. He’ll be at RETHINK:GREEN — a star-studded charity gala that includes an art exhibit, organic tasting, and a green awards ceremony — held to raise funds for the Green Ambassadors Institute on Nov. 6. Earlier: Environmental Charter High School: Green ed from upcycling to urbanite.

Photo by Lenore Edman/Flickr

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Want a garden of your own — but don’t have a backyard to convert? Long for a spot in your local community garden — but remain stuck on a long waiting list? On Sat., Sep. 25, you’ll have a chance to get your garden on — no plot of dirt required! That day, hundreds of Dig Ins will be happening around the country for would-be gardeners and locavores that want to get their hands dirty.

These events are organized by Slow Food USA, a nonprofit pushing for a more sustainable food system that gets people more connected to — and drawing more pleasure from — the food they eat. If you’re ready to Dig In, find an event near you on Slow Food USA’s website. You’ll get to do some good old fashioned work in a local garden — before indulging in a celebratory meal to cap the day.

So far, the only L.A.-area event listed is a Slow Food Pasadena Dig In (email mzboray@la.chefs.edu for more details). But more events are getting listed every day — and I know of at least one relevant westside event Dig In!-esque that’s not yet listed. That’s the Median Makeover Merriment, featuring architect Mark Lakeman of City Repair fame. This community building and beautification project will get you prettifying a median by planting, painting, and even cob structure building. Then, all participants will get to indulge in a free lunch. Be there on Sat., Sep. 25 from 9:30 am to 4 pm at the intersection of Dudley Ave. and Main St. in Venice. For more info, email Francis Delavecchia at francis@joyfulactivist.com.

Of course, if you’ve got a garden that could use some hands-on love, organizing your own Dig In can be a great way of getting free gardening help! Sign up to start a Dig In on Slow Food USA’s website, provide the details, and prepare for the arrival of volunteers on Sep. 25.

Image via Slow Food USA

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>> Find out about pilot projects in the works to transform L.A.’s streets into people friendly places at Living Streets LA’s Pilot Streets Meeting, where L.A. City Planning Commission President Bill Roschen and local green organizations will be presenting, brainstorming, and sharing. The meeting happens Tues., Aug. 24 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at the RailLA Exhibit, The Jewel Box/City National Plaza, 525 S. Flower St., Los Angeles

>> The next Los Angeles EcoTuesday, a green business networking event, will feature Juan Matute, director of the UCLA Program on Local Government Climate Action Policies, as the speaker. Be there Tues., Aug. 24 from 7 pm at Casa Del Mar Hotel & Resort, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica. Cost: $5.

>> Don’t miss the Streetsblog L.A. Re-Launch Party and Fundraiser! There’ll be food, drinks a great silent auction — and me! Be there Wed., Aug. 25 from 7 pm to 11:30 pm at 11555 National Blvd., Los Angeles. Cost: $20 suggested donation — but don’t let lack of funds keep you away if you plan to bid on the silent auction items!

>> de LaB and LA Commons have put together Vertical Veggies: Urban Gardening and Cooking at Homegirl Cafe — a delicious evening of urban farming, cooking, and eating. Take gardening and cooking workshops then enjoy an all-inclusive dinner from Homegirl Cafe made with produce from their on-site vertical garden while enjoying live music. The fun sprouts Thurs., Aug. 26 from 6 pm to 9 pm at Homegirl Cafe, 130 Bruno St., in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Cost: $15 for dinner plus gardening or cooking workshop. RSVP required to hello@designeastoflabrea.org.

>> Greenpeace wants to see you at a Hollywood DIE-IN for Chemical Security, a gruesome but green-sounding flash mob of sorts. “1 in 3 Americans live at risk from severe injury or death in the event of a leak or terrorist attack at a high risk chemical plant. Here in Los Angeles there are 16… high-risk chemical plants that threaten millions all over our city!” say the event organizers on their website. If you’d like to temporarily die with them, head over on Sat., Aug. 28 from 11 am to noon to the Hollywood and Highland Metro Stop in Los Angeles.

>> Local foodies won’t want to miss The Food Rendezvous, the first monthly gathering for local food lovers. There’ll be local artisan food, chefs’ demos, cooking contests, cookbook swaps, and more. Be there Sat., Aug. 28 from 4 pm to 10 pm at SPARC, 685 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. Cost: $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

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>> Conquer your fear of sharks by seeing a new, unscary small shark at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. “At 2-feet long and with a habit of burying itself under the sand on the ocean floor, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s latest addition — a Pacific angel shark — isn’t exactly the menacing type. The frouforu (sic) species name doesn’t help either.”

>> Make bicycling friends and meet local bike celebs at Bikeside Speaks, where you’ll hear a series of 7 minute talks from Santa Monica City Councilmember Terry O’Day, Felicia Williams of CICLE, and many other activist. The short talks will be followed by a “bike-in” screening by the Disposable Film Festival, followed by an after party at the Hotel Erwin on Venice Beach. The fun begins Sat., Aug. 21 at 6:30 pm at Cynergy Bike Shop, 2300 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.

>> Didn’t include a bikini in your six items or less closet challenge? Fight for the right for women to go topless — minus the nipple covers you’ll be encouraged to wear to prevent the event from getting shut down — at the Go Topless Day march, happening Sun., Aug. 22 at 2 pm, starting at Ocean Front Walk and Navy St. (via LAist)

Don’t forget about all the other green events also happening this weekend –

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>> L.A.’s largest FREE outdoor green festival Venice Eco-Fest 2010 will feature live entertainment on a solar-powered stage, an art exhibit, a “One Planet Parade” down Ocean Front Walk, a vegetarian food court, and more than 150 exhibitors. Hope that the sun will come back out to play by then, and go with your reusable bottle to take advantage of the filtered water stations. The fest happens this Sat., July 10 from 10 am to 6 pm at the Venice Beach Recreation Area (Windward Ave. and Ocean Front Walk).

>> The next Green Business Networking happens Tues., July 13 from 6 pm – 9 pm at The Ambrose Hotel, 1255 20th St., Santa Monica. Meet, greet and shmooze over organic food and drinks. Cost: $15, or $10 in advance. Earlier: About GBN.

>> Take some time this weekend to check out the eco-conscious furniture group LA Box Collective’s “So Happy together” exhibit. The show highlights beautiful, green, handcrafted, and locally-made furniture. Stop by Fifth Floor Gallery, 502 Chung King Court in Chinatown, Los Angeles — before the exhibit closes August 29.

>> Sign up now to take the HiddenLA carpool tour the Los Angeles River, exploring the waterway from the valley to downtown L.A. — with stops for tacos and cream puffs. Meet up on Sun., July 18 at 8 am at the River Center (570 W Ave. 26. The tour will end around 3 pm. Cost: $25. Earlier: A Pictorial ode to the L.A. River.

Image via Venice Eco-Fest

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