Category Archives: We Green DC

Adventures, All Politics is Local, Essential DC, Fun & Games, History, Life in the Capital, Technology, The Daily Feed, The Great Outdoors, We Green DC
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“Smart” Buoy Deployed

Photo courtesy of
‘Buoy Red ‘6’ took a pounding’
courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) deployed a “smart” buoy just south of the Wilson Bridge on Friday, May 4.  The new device will provide scientists and local area boaters/educators with real-time information about the Chesapeake Bay.

The buoy is part of the the CBIBS (Chesapeake Bay Interpretative Buoy System) program and will collect weather, oceanographic and water-quality observations along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.  The program hopes to not only provide relevant data for restoration efforts, but also provide insights about the waterways’ history and encourage stewardship and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

All of the eight buoys’ measurements, along with historical information, can be accessed at www.buoybay.org (www.buoybay.org/m for mobile devices) and by phone at 877-BUOY-BAY (877-286-9229).

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Free Yogurt Today and Tomorrow

Photo courtesy of
‘froyo’
courtesy of ‘laurarotondo’

The eco-conscious Sweetflow Mobile will be making stops in Virginia today and DC tomorrow to celebrate the 11 Kimpton Hotels that were recently Green Seal Certified at the Silver Level — meaning they’ve achieved standards to minimize waste, conserve energy, manage fresh water and waste water, prevent pollution, and commit to environmentally sensitive purchasing.

Be one of the first 50 when the truck arrives at each hotel, and you can get a free cone with one topping, such as strawberries, granola, or organic chocolate chips. You also can enter a raffle for a free weekend getaway at each hotel and get the “inside scoop” on the company’s more than 80 green products and practices.

Where and when: Virginia – Today at Hotel Palomar Arlington (3:15 p.m.), Hotel Monaco Alexandria (4:45 p.m.), Morrison House (5:30 p.m.), and Lorien Hotel & Spa (6:15 p.m.); DC – Friday at Hotel George (10 a.m.), Hotel Monaco Washington DC (11 a.m.), Helix Hotel (Noon), Hotel Rouge (3 p.m.), Topaz Hotel (4 p.m.), Hotel Madera (5 p.m.), and Hotel Palomar Washington DC (6 p.m.).

Technology, The Daily Feed, We Green DC, WTF?!
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Turn Old Jeans Into Insulation for Habitat

Photo courtesy of
‘levis rivet bw’
courtesy of ‘christaki’

Our friend Erin from Unclutterer pointed out this excellent campaign from MoCo Professional Organizer Scott Roewer to collect a bunch of blue jeans. Got a pair of well-loved, but in need of retirement blue jeans? Donate them to Scott, who will turn them into awesome insulation for a Habitat for Humanity house. He’s already collected over 300 pairs, but he needs to get to 500 in order to have enough insulation for a single Habitat home.

If you can help, leave Scott a comment with your contact information and he’ll direct you to how to send him your jeans! Me, I’ve got two pairs that can probably go off to be insulation…Scott, drop me a comment here?

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Yum Yum Yoga

Photo courtesy of
‘one (final version) (#117)’
courtesy of ‘j / f / photos’

Tomorrow night, you’ve an option to get very relaxed and happy, when a Yoga for Foodies event comes to Zola.

David Romanelli, who co-founded Yoga + Chocolate, will lead a one-hour flowing yoga class, to stretch your consciousness and your tummy for the three-course dinner that will follow. The menu is chock full of fresh, local, seasonal food, such as an oyster salad, dandelion greens, and strawberry and rhubarb gratin.

His plan is to make you aware of what you’re eating, where it comes from, and how it makes you feel. Which likely will be mmm, mmm good.

The Great Outdoors, We Green DC
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5 Top Tips for Container Gardening

Photo courtesy of


‘365.105: The cook’s herb garden’
courtesy of ‘WordRidden’

There are lots of things I think would be cool to do, so I just dive in without proper training. One is growing herbs on the deck. Understandably, my results have been mixed. The potted mint is going great guns, but last year the basil plant that had been visibly shooting up daily as if it inspired Jack and the Beanstalk suddenly turned black, dropped its leaves, and keeled over. No more fresh basil for me.

So when Arlington Adult Education offered a class called Growing Herbs in Containers, I signed up—mostly out of sympathy for the plants. And then I came late to class. When I walked in, instructor Dottie Jacobsen stopped her talk, greeted me, then asked, “What’s your growing situation?” Under the bright lights and many watching eyes, I came clean: “I kill plants.”

And presto! Within two short hours, I had a long list of things I’d done wrong and could easily correct. Since some of my plants did actually survive, this knowledge was inspiring. “Many of my students have gone on to be excessive container gardeners,” Jacobsen reassured us. “They say, ‘it’s a jungle out there.’” What are her tips?

Continue reading →
The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Jolly Green Giants

Photo courtesy of
‘Green grass, Masonville Cove’
courtesy of ‘sidewalk flying’

In its just-released May issue, the Washingtonian names the winners of its 2010 Green Awards, which honor those who protect the environment and teach others the importance of eco-friendly living.

Loyal We Love DC readers may recognize a few names — Philip O’Neal and Rhon Hayes, co-founders of Green DMV, whose Greater Washington Green Jobs Corps graduates weatherized the Gospel Rescue Ministries homeless shelter earlier this year; Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea, who told us why he loves DC; and Tracy Bowen of the Alice Ferguson Foundation, which organized the massive Potomac River Watershed Cleanup for which We Love DC co-sponsored a site earlier this month.

See the issue for more on the efforts these and all honorees have made. A hearty congratulations to all the winners! Keep up the great green work!

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Essential DC, News, The Daily Feed, The District, We Green DC
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Zipcar Acquires The UK’s Streetcar, Car Sharing Across The Pond

Photo courtesy of
‘zip’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

Zipcar, the world’s largest car sharing service, announced it has acquired Streetcar, the UK’s fastest growing car club. The acquisition will benefit both Streetcar and “Zipsters” (Zipcar members) by offering more vehicles, a greater variety of hybrid and other green cars, and more locations, and give members access to both networks’ vehicles located in cities in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Zipcar currently offers hundreds of cars in the Metro DC area that members can rent out by the hour or day.  Car sharing services, like Zipcar, are a fantastic way to get the benefits of having a car without all of the associated costs.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Food, Inc. to Show on WETA

Photo courtesy of
‘Moo’
courtesy of ‘kevinspencer’

Not going to a happy hour, a film or a concert for Earth Day? You can still celebrate — and learn a little more about what goes on with Mother Earth — by watching Academy Award nominee Food, Inc. from the comfort of your own couch.

It’ll be broadcast on P.O.V. on WETA TV Channel 26 at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21st.

You might not look at dinner the same way again — but you just might feel jazzed and empowered to eat food produced in a way that’s healthier, for the planet and for you.

We Green DC
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Big Earth Day Events Blowout

Photo courtesy of
‘Tree in the puddle’
courtesy of ‘fromcaliw/love’

It’s the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and green events are springing up citywide — an amazing number and variety. Highlighted are movies, drinks and more drinks, a special dinner, a “Song of the Earth” concert, an outdoor music festival, cleanups, a fundraiser to snug up homes for low-income residents, a walk for water, and even a seminar on making paper from junk mail.

And that’s just what happens next week. Events between now and the middle of next week appear in Part 1 (just in case you missed it).

Catch a Party and a Flick: No Impact Man
Thursday, April 22
6:30 and 8:15 p.m. (screenings); 6:45 – 10 p.m. (reception)
DC / U St.
AED Globe Theater (Formerly Visions), 1927 Florida Avenue, NW
$16 (film and reception)

Come see No Impact Man and attend the reception before or after your 90-minute screening. The film tells the story of Colin Beavan, a newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no long avoid pointing the finger at himself.

He left behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, electricity, non-local food, or material consumption. See the effect on him and his less-than-earth-friendly family.
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Save the Planet with PB&J

Photo courtesy of
‘Peanut Butter & Jelly’
courtesy of ‘@joefoodie’

Here’s an idea: as Earth Day approaches, check out the PB&J Campaign.

The idea is that each time you have a PB&J, you shrink your carbon footprint, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, cut back on habitat destruction, and conserve water.

And you get grade-A comfort food to boot. Where’s the best in town? Our authors are divided on the merits of Potbelly’s. What do you think?

Business and Money, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed, The District, We Green DC
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DC Chef Talks Sustainable Seafood On CNN

Photo courtesy of
‘Anacostia Fish Market #34’
courtesy of ‘andertho’

Barton Seaver, executive chef at Northwest DC’s restaurant Blue Ridge appeared on CNN today to speak about the realities of seafood sustainability and ways that Americans, and the world for that matter, can make their menus more sustainable when it comes to seafood.

Seaver recommends switching out mainstream choices such as tuna, swordfish and salmon, which have been seriously over fished and over eaten, with smaller, plentiful species like mackerel, sardines, clams, catfish, oysters, and my personal favorite, anchovies. Another practical and healthy suggestion is for restaurant and home chefs to use more vegetables in their dishes. And with the DC farmers market season ready to kick into gear, it’s the perfect time to incorporate produce from local sources into our cooking.

These simple and implementable cooking choices, according to Seaver, can have a measurable impact on depleted fish populations and can help in comprehensive efforts of seafood sustainability.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Shop for Food, Save Our River

Photo courtesy of
‘Great Falls in Flood- March 17 2010’
courtesy of ‘Roger Photos’

Hold on to your grocery list! Just in time for Earth Day, next Wednesday you can shop for groceries and restore our water, all at once!

Shop at any of the three DC Whole Foods locations — P Street, Georgetown, and Tenleytown — from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 21st, and 5% of the day’s profits will go to Potomac Riverkeeper.

Potomac Riverkeeper staff will be handing out hats, bumper stickers, and brochures to shoppers as well, so you can learn more about this great organization and how it keeps our river (and our drinking water) healthy and clean.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Rock Creek Park Now Free of Hair Extensions

Photo courtesy of
‘Rock Creek – P Street Bridge Cleanup-7’
courtesy of ‘TrailVoice’

Thank you to all who attended the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup that We Love DC sponsored with Trail Voice, Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment, and the DC Trash Runners on Saturday! More than 60 people attended, improving our park by removing:

  • 50 bags of trash
  • 38 bags of recyclables
  • 500 plastic bags (yay, new bag fee!)
  • 3,000 cigarette butts
  • Top 3 brands of trash: Bud/Busch, Deer Park, and Durex
  • Interesting items: Plastic sword, old-school cell phone, umbrella, suitcase, hair extension

See more pictures from the event on Flickr. Special thanks to Trail Voice for the photos and the great job with planning! Come join us next time!

Downtown, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, Special Events, Technology, The Daily Feed, The District, We Green DC
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Flowers for Phones, April 13-14

Photo courtesy of
‘ting’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11-2pm drop off your used cell phones at either Farragut Square Park or Triangle Park and you’ll get a free potted flower to take home and a chance to win one of many cool prizes.  Collected phones will be recycled as part of the Golden Triangle’s Clean, Green & Golden week to make the District’s central business district look better than ever.

In addition to receiving some flower power, cell phone donors will be automatically entered awesome prizes from Eye Street Massage Therapy, Public Bar, Green & Blue, Taberna del Alabardero, etc. Show up at noon on Tuesday and hang with Ward 2 DC Councilman Jack Evans and possibly snag one of four $50 gift certificate for BLT Steak.

Make sure your phone has been deactivated from service, there aren’t security or privacy concerns. All makes and models of mobile phones, pagers, and PDAs are accepted—along with batteries, chargers, and other accessories. For more details on what can be recycled visit Earthworks, the Golden Triangle BID’s partner responsible for recycling the phones. Continue reading →

We Green DC
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It’s Easy Being Green: Upcoming Events

Photo courtesy of
‘Rock Creek Park’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

It’s time for the annual celebration of Earth – and there’s an abundance of green activities around town! Here are some happening in the next week or so. Stay tuned for Part 2 next Friday, when we’ll preview events scheduled for Earth Day itself, April 22nd.

Join We Love DC’s Cleanup at Rock Creek Park
Saturday, April 10
8:15 a.m., yoga; 9 a.m. – noon, cleanup
DC
Southwest corner of P and 23rd Sts. NW, 4 blocks west of Dupont Circle

Join us in this annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, which takes place at approximately 500 sites! We Love DC, Trail Voice, Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment, the DC Trash Runners and more are partnering to clean up Rock Creek Park.

Come early (8:15 a.m.) for a morning yoga stretch thanks to a Lululemon Yoga Ambassador and fresh baked goods compliments of Firehook Bakery, plus an option to clean up while taking a morning run.

Sign up on the Trail Voice site! Can’t make our clean-up day? Join another of the hundreds of sites closer to your home. (Please bring work gloves if you have them; some will be available.)
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Moby Signing “Gristle” at Busboys Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Writing’
courtesy of ‘Rachel Elinor Catherine Davies’

Moby (yes, that Moby) will be at Busboys and Poets at 2021 14th St. NW tonight from 6:30 – 8:30, discussing and signing the new book GRISTLE: From Factory Farms to Food Safety (Thinking Twice About The Meat We Eat).

Moby edited the book, which examines how industrial farming is affecting the way we live, along with Miyun Park, the executive director of the Global Animal Partnership.

The 15 contributors include vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike and range from John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, to Lauren Bush, model and co-founder of FEED Projects.

We Love DC readers can order the book for $2.99 off the cover price (total $11.96). Simply enter 58191GR in the promo code space.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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We Love the River!

Rope Swing Over River

Summer Swing

If you love DC, this weekend join us in giving some love to the river!

Saturday marks the 22nd Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, which brings together people from all over the community. Last year, cleanups took place at approximately 500 sites–and hauled out more than 290 tons of trash!

We Love DC, Trail Voice, Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment, the DC Trash Runners and more are partnering to clean up Rock Creek Park.

To sweeten the pot, we’ve teamed with local vendors to offer things like a morning yoga stretch and fresh baked goods, plus an option to clean up while taking a morning run.

Meet us at 9 a.m. at the P Street bridge over Rock Creek Park, about 4 blocks west of Dupont Circle. Sign up on the Trail Voice site! Can’t make ours? Join another of the hundreds of sites closer to your home.

Clean-up site is just west of Dupont Circle in Rock Creek Park from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon on Saturday, April 10. There is no cost for you to participate. It is recommended that you bring your own work gloves, although some will be available on-site.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_2744’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

Starting today, you can tiptoe through the tulips and pick some too at America’s First Organic Tulip Festival, held an hour or so down the road in Madison, Virginia. (Charlottesville, Shenandoah National Park, and wineries are in that part of the world, too.)

Wander their 10,000 square foot garden and pick as many of their 40,000 tulips as you’d like, for $1 a stem. You can also spread out a picnic in the organic show garden, among more than 50 different types of flowers, including daffodils, alliums, grape hyacinths and irises.

What does organic mean? That they were raised pesticide-free, for a healthy plant and a healthy planet.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Two Honest Teas for One. No Foolin’.

Photo courtesy of
‘INOX #105’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

In honor of Earth Month, the Bethesda-based, sustainably-minded company Honest Tea is offering a special two-for-one coupon for its lightly sweet, organic teas. (See why the company’s “TeaEO” loves DC.)

There’s just one catch — you have to sign up for your coupon today, but you can use it any time this month. What you waiting for? Get yours now!