I’m not sure anyone but the city employees know about this, but Santa Monica’s having a 10-day eco-celebration of sorts. To celebrate the 14th anniversary of Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Plan, the city’s holding a bunch of eco-themed FREE events (PDF of schedule here).
It all kicks off on Thurs., Sept. 18, with the 2008 Sustainable City Report Card Update, happening at 7 pm in the Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Shannon Parry, the City of Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Program Coordinator, will go over this year’s eco-successes and challenges.
Then on Fri., Sept. 19, hang out all day at the temporary urban parks created by green space loving activists in city car parking spots as part of Park[ing] Day LA.
In the evening there’s a Santa Monica Pier “Drive-In” Screening of Open Season, “an animated comedy about a couple of lovable critters surviving in Timberline National Park.” Tickets are free but required.
Wake up early on Sat., Sept. 20 for Coastal Clean-Up Day with Heal the Bay. This huge volunteer day happens from 9 am – 12 pm. Meet on Santa Monica Beach just south of the pier to help clean the Santa Monica Bay.
On Sun., Sept. 21, stop by the Westside Permaculture Festival at Sustainable Works, 1744 Pearl St., between noon and 5 pm for a community potluck, cob building workshop and a permaculture design class.
On Mon., Sept. 22, green newbies can take a Green Living 101 class taught by an unnamed “residential greening expert” at the Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., from 6 pm – 8:30 pm.
On Tues., Sept. 23 there’s a Green Business Certification Mixer at the Ambrose Hotel — but it’s by invite only. Boo.
On Wed., Sept. 24, those with children can take a Greening Your Home for Parents class and “Learn ways to protect your kids and your home from unnecessary chemical exposure.” That starts at 6 pm at the Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
On Thurs., Sept. 25, stop by the Green Building Resource Center’s open house at 2218 Main St, from 5 pm – 7 pm. Then walk straight over for a screening of Power of Community — “A true story of creating community-based solutions to peak oil” at the Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., starting at 7 pm.
Then it’s the the AltCarExpo — or The Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo, happening Fri., Sept. 26 and Sat., Sept. 27 from 10 am – 5 pm — featuring me! The events happen at Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica; free bike valet’ll be provided.
And if you’ve still got some energy left, put the money you saved via going to all these free events by buying a ticket to the Plug In America Fundraiser Party, happening right after AltCarExpo ends on Sat., Sept. 27. You’ll get to party at the home of Chris Paine, director of Who Killed the Electric Car?, who’ll be shooting a key sequence for his next film, Revenge of the Electric Car, during the event. You’ll also rub elbows with other celebrities and get to check out Elon Musk’s personal Tesla, “P1.” Tickets, which include a one-year membership to Plug In America, cost $75.
These events sound interesting. Would you happen to know of more events further east?
Comment by John Y. — September 10, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
There aren’t as many, but I write about ‘em from time to time –
Comment by Siel — September 14, 2008 @ 10:22 pm