‘Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Pond’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

As the first day of summer rapidly approaches and even more rain drops from the sky, our world is turning green. Green with leaves, and with green-related events! Here’s a quick roundup of ways you can enjoy and help the planet in the next two weeks:

Thursday, June 18

Celebrate the Solstice.
7 to 9 p.m., Arlington, Bluemont Park, Wilson Blvd. and N. Manchester St.

Celebrate the year’s longest day with an active evening in the park. Choose from multiple service projects, including invasive plant removal, stream cleanup, neighborhood cleanup, and storm drain marking. Gather afterwards for snacks. Register.

Get Happy.
6 p.m., Arlington, Guarapo (near Courthouse Metro).

Come to what’s billed as HUGE happy hour, with specials on appetizers and drinks. Meet other greenies from CarbonfreeDC and other community groups including the 20’s & 30’s Going Out Group, the Kick A$$ Professionals, the DMV Ladies, NoVa Singles and DC Simplicity.

Discuss Restoring Urban Streams
7 – 9 p.m., Arlington, 2700 S. Taylor St.

A public meeting will discuss the challenges and benefits of restoring degraded streams in urban forests in our area. Talks will cover the social, economic, and environmental aspects of a close-to-home case study, Arlington County’s Donaldson Run Restoration Project. A technical conference on stream restoration follows on Friday, June 19 (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $30 per person.)

‘Stream’
courtesy of ‘Sporko’

Friday, June 19

Join a National Day of Action.
Your rep’s office

Rally at your representative’s district office for a stronger clean energy bill with hundreds of others across America. Let your representative know that there are concerned citizens — like you — who want a stronger bill to create millions of clean energy jobs and begin to tackle climate change, and hold polluters accountable. Why now? A House floor vote is expected by the end of June.

Dance at the Earth Ball.
6 p.m. – Midnight, Washington, DC, The Mott House, 122 Maryland Ave NE

Have a ball in honor of saving the big (mostly) blue ball. This inaugural Earth Awareness Soiree will highlight major national and local environment issues and leaders, a Green Exhibit Gallery, plenty of food and complimentary beer, and a DJ. ALL proceeds will be donated to urban vegetable garden programs benefiting moderate and low-income residents of the District. Fee: $25

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Run for the Rainforest.
8:30 a.m., Arlington, Ballston Campus, 1000 N. Glebe Road

This second annual 5K run/walk will benefit the conservation of the Amazon rainforest, and the prevention of global climate change. You also can donate school supplies for the indigenous children in the small rainforest village of Tepu, Suriname. Fee: $30 by June 17; $40 on race day.

Tour a Green Home.
1 – 5 p.m., Arlington, 3443 13th St. N.

See green design on a budget, in a home being featured on HGTV’s show “My Big Amazing Renovation.” Green initiatives include an efficient HVAC system with Filter King filters, a whole house tankless water heater, energy-efficient fireplace, solar tubes, bamboo countertop and floors, large permeable reused brick driveway, rainwater harvesting, and more.

Sunday, June 21

Tour a Solar Home.
1 – 4 p.m., Bethesda, 5504 Cornish Rd.

Learn how these folks are making clean solar electricity on their roof and greening their home. See a 2.8kW photovoltaic solar system with Web monitoring, LED lighting, food waste composting, and more! See if you too can power up with the sun. RSVP appreciated, 301-913-0082 or info@sharonfinegallery.com.

‘IMG_2922’
courtesy of ‘biofriendly’

Wednesday, June 24

Green Your Small Business.
8 – 10 a.m., Arlington, 1100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 1500.

At this free seminar, learn how Fresh AIRE (Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions) can help the environment and your business’s bottom line. This seminar will feature Arlington-based small businesses that have done so. Registration is required.

Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28

Become a Leader.
Washington, Washington Theological Union, 6896 Laurel St., NW

Learn how to take DC climate advocacy to the next step in a two-day DC Climate Leadership Summit. You can network with other volunteers taking action on global warming, receive a full policy briefing, and learn the nuts and bolts of organizing — how to communicate with elected leaders, reach out to the media, and more. Fee: $35, or $20 for CarbonfreeDC members.

Saturday, June 27
Learn About Bees.
1 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Arlington, Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St.

Celebrate National Pollinator Week and learn to attract bees to your garden. You can also attend a bee bundling workshop, about which yours truly is very curious, and bring plants from your garden for a native plant swap. Free.

Know of a good green event that’s not on the list? We’d love to hear of it. Please add it in the comments!