Tuesday, June 16, 2009


PORTRAIT OF INVENTION: A CONVERSATION WITH LESTER BROWN
Facilitated by noted historian Marc Pachter

Thursday, June 18, 2009
7:30-9:00 p.m
Carmichael Auditorium
National Museum of American History

Constitution between Twelfth and Fourteenth Streets, NW


The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center presents a special program featuring renowned author and global environmentalist Lester Brown. In this latest
installment in the Center's "Portrait of Invention" series, Marc Pachter will engage Brown, founder and president of the Earth Policy Institute, in a conversation about the challenges of sustaining civilization. There will be a half-hour Q&A following the conversation.

Lester Brown has been hailed as "the guru of the environmental movement." Through this oral history-style interview and subsequent conversation, visitors will get to see Brown's strong influence on the early environmental movement and learn about solutions to today's environmental problems.

Mr. Brown will autograph copies of his latest book, Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing
to Save Civilization
, following the program.




Photos Courtesy of EV World and Eco Policy Institute.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Use Protection! The Environment Thanks You!


Advocacy Workshop: How to "Sell" Green Solutions
You want a clean, healthy Rock Creek. You want smarter, more environmentally sensitive decisionmaking in your community. Here is your chance to learn how to become a more effective advocate for environmental protection. Workshop topics include influencing local, government, state, and regional decision and oportunities to influence restoration activities in DC and Montgomery County.

Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 9:00-12:30 (registration at 8:30)
Location: 1st Floor Training Center
Metro Washington Council of Governments
777 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
RSVP: Email anacostia@mwcog.org by June 11



photos courtesy of Keyboard Culture and Latest Business Updates.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Refrigerator Door!!!


No, they are not the two most beautiful words in the English language but together, they have the power to keep the co-op food fresh and delicious. What does this mean? Close the refrigerator door!!



How to Close Refrigerator Door:
Life the handle up while you push against the door
Slide the door back on the bottom track (knees are useful for this)
Slide the door closed
Use the stick to jamb it completely shut






photo courtesy of Central Restaurant.com

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Alan's Awesome Smoothie


We know that the sweaty, sticky DC summer we all love is rolling up its sleeves and preparing to drench our skin in all those intimate spots, so we thought we'd come up with a few ways to fight back. As always, fighting back is better when you're well-fed. Enter the smoothie recipes. 

Alan's Awesome Smoothie

Combine in blender:
2 frozen marked down bananas
1/2 bag of frozen Cascadian Farms harvest berries
1/2 can of coconut milk
Heaping spoonful of peanut butter
Generous dollop of maple syrup
Rice/soy milk blend
Crushed fresh mint

Blend until smooth. Drink immediately while sitting in the shade reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. 


Saturday, June 6, 2009

REMINDER - Clothing Exchange TOMORROW!


Clothing Exchange Sunday, June 7 | 1pm - 2pm
Columbia Heights - 13th St. at Otis


Don't forget! The clothing exchange is rescheduled for THIS SUNDAY! (Yes, that's tomorrow!)

Join City Garden & Friends for a totally free, totally awesome clothing exchange.

E-mail Lacey for exact address.


photo courtesy of Tiny Paws Puppy Dogs.



Friday, June 5, 2009

Open Manager Postions

Be a Leader! Join the Co-op Management Team!
The co-op is looking for a few good persons to fill open manager positions. Read on, good people, and sign up to show your support!


Labor Coordinator - 10% markup

Interested in becoming the Labor Coordinator for the co-op? This is a manager position and comes with a 10% markup.

The main responsibilities are:
(a) Send out weekly shift reminders
(b) Assign shifts to new members

If you interested or have any questions, please contact Krysti citygardenlabor@ gmail.com



General Manager - 10% markup
Interested in becoming the General Manager for the co-op? This is a manager position and comes with a 10% markup.

The responsibilities are:
(a) Make sure everyone is doing their job (e.g. check for missed shifts, make sure managers are doing their job properly)
(b) Sort out problems when they arise (e.g. sort out any ant infestations, disputes)
(c) Make sure there are spare Coop forms in the desk
(d) Purchase plastic bags for dry goods
(e) Organise the annual general meeting
(f) Keep managers informed about what the others are doing
(g) Most importantly you have the ability to shape the direction of the Coop (if you want to change something in the Coop, this is the best place to do so).

If you are interested, email Ryan at: ryan_banerjee@ yahoo.co. uk

Remember the Coop is what you make it and it needs people to step up and keep it running!


Photos courtesy of Sueandjanie and Babble.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Eco Bookbin - NEW!

Each month, we'll post new and recent titles of ecologically minded books. The fiction and non-fiction books can include recent releases of books about nature, the environment, ecology, urban farming, gardening, or being "green."

If you have any suggestions for great books you've read recently that have been left off the list, please contact us. If you would like to submit a book review of books you've read, send away! There might even be discounted/free books in the deal for you! And note: you don't have to be a member of City Garden Co-op to submit a review!


ECO BOOKBIN
June 2009


Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything
by Daniel Goleman

April 2009, $26.00

Publisher's Comments:

Drawing on cutting-edge research, Goleman explains why we as shoppers are in the dark over the hidden impacts of the goods and services we make and consume, victims of a blackout of information about the detrimental effects of producing, shipping, packaging, distributing, and discarding the goods we buy.

But the balance of power is about to shift from seller to buyer, as a new generation of technologies informs us of the ecological facts about products at the point of purchase. This radical transparency will enable consumers to make smarter purchasing decisions, and will drive companies to rethink and reform their businesses, ushering in, Goleman claims, a new age of competitive advantage.



The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire, and the Birth of an Obsession
by Andrea Wulf

March 2009, $35.00

Publisher's Comments:

This is the story of these men - friends, rivals, enemies, united by a passion for plants - whose correspondence, collaborations and squabbles make for a riveting human tale which is set against the backdrop of the emerging empire, the uncharted world beyond and London as the capital of science. From the scent of the exotic blooms in Tahiti and Botany Bay to the gardens at Chelsea and Kew, and from the sounds and colours of the streets of the City to the staggering vistas of the Appalachian mountains, The Brother Gardeners tells the story how Britain became a nation of gardeners.



In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
by Michael Pollan

April 2009, $15.00

Publisher's Comments:

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." These simple words go to the heart of In Defense of Food.

Humans used to know how to eat well, Pollan argues. But the balanced dietary lessons that were once passed down through generations have been confused, complicated, and distorted by food industry marketers, nutritional scientists, and journalists — all of whom have much to gain from our dietary confusion. As a result, we face today a complex culinary landscape dense with bad advice and foods that are not real. These edible food-like substances are often packaged with labels bearing health claims that are typically false or misleading. Indeed, real food is fast disappearing from the marketplace, to be replaced by nutrients, and plain old eating by an obsession with nutrition that is, paradoxically, ruining our health, not to mention our meals.

Michael Pollan's sensible and decidedly counterintuitive advice is: Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food. Michael Pollan's bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we might start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives and enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy.


The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite
by David Kessler

April 2009, $29.95

Publisher's Comments:

Most of us know what it feels like to fall under the spell of food when one slice of pizza turns into half a pie, or a handful of chips leads to an empty bag. But its harder to understand why we can't seem to stop eating even when we know better. When we want so badly to say "no," why do we continue to reach for food? Dr. David Kessler, the dynamic former FDA commissioner who reinvented the food label and tackled the tobacco industry, now reveals how the food industry has hijacked the brains of millions of Americans. The result? Americas number-one public health issue. Dr. Kessler cracks the code of overeating by explaining how our bodies and minds are changed when we consume foods that contain sugar, fat, and salt. The End of Overeating uncovers the shocking facts about how we lost control over our eating habitsand how we can get it back. Dr. Kessler presents groundbreaking research, along with what is sure to be a controversial view inside the industry that continues to feed a nation of overeatersfrom popular brand manufacturers to advertisers, chain restaurants, and fast food franchises.



Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes
by Mark Bittman

December 2008, $24.95

Publisher's Comments:
From the award-winning champion of culinary simplicity who gave us the bestselling How to Cook Everything and How to Cook Everything Vegetarian comes Food Matters, a plan for responsible eating that's as good for the planet as it is for your weight and your health.

We are finally starting to acknowledge the threat carbon emissions pose to our ozone layer, but few people have focused on the extent to which our consumption of meat contributes to global warming. Think about it this way: In terms of energy consumption, serving a typical family-of-four steak dinner is the rough equivalent of driving around in an SUV for three hours while leaving all the lights on at home.

Bittman offers a no-nonsense rundown on how government policy, big business marketing, and global economics influence what we choose to put on the table each evening. He demystifies buzzwords like "organic," "sustainable," and "local" and offers straightforward, budget-conscious advice that will help you make small changes that will shrink your carbon footprint — and your waistline. A month's worth of meal plans shows you how Bittman chooses to eat and offers proof of how satisfying a mindful and responsible diet can be. Cheaper, healthier, and socially sound, Food Matters represents the future of American eating.


You can purchase these titles from fine local booksellers such as Politics & Prose or Kramerbooks.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Clothing Exchange - THIS SUNDAY!


Clothing Exchange
Sunday, June 7 | 1pm - 2pm
Columbia Heights - 13th St. at Otis

The clothing exchange is rescheduled for THIS SUNDAY!

Join City Garden & Friends for a totally free, totally awesome clothing exchange.

E-mail Lacey for exact address.

FAQ:
What is a clothing exchange?
A clothing exchange is an eco-friendly way to purge your closet of items that no longer fit. It's also an eco-friendly was to grab some new (used) clothes. Think of it as a thrift store with food and friends.

What should I bring?
You should bring anything from your closet that doesn't fit you, has outgrown your taste/style, or is unwanted. This can include blouses, jeans, dress pants, skirts, ties, accessories, shoes... anything!

Will there be clothes that fit me?

A clothing exchange works best if there are lots of folks attending. That way, there's a variety of sizes and styles represented.

Will there be clothes in my style?
See above. Clothes I am personally donating include lots of work attire (dress pants, skirts, suits, dress shirts), winter sweaters, a winter coat, summer shirts, and clothing worn by royalty!**

How much does it cost?
It's totally free!!! And invite your friends!!!

Where do the clothes go if no one wants them?
Unwanted clothes will be donated to a charity of choice. If you have a particular charity to recommend, please inform the hostess.

Can I invite others?
Absolutely! The more the merrier (and the wider the selection)!!



**this statement is not wholly accurate. it was purchased by royalty but never worn... as you can tell from the tags still on the clothing. want the full story? come to the clothing exchange!


Photo courtesy of The Blueberry Patch.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Artomatic Opens Today


The one, the only, the Artomatic opens today through July 5th (schedule below).

The Artomatic folks are celebrating their 10th anniversary of taking over unfinished space and bring multimedia wunderkinds (and wunderdon'ts) to the public. With 9 floors of art, video, music, and classes, Artomatic has something that will appeal to everyone. Last year, I watched old episodes of Pancake Mountain with three six year olds and a pair of teenagers making out before I explored exhibits ranging from the awesome to the mediocre. I ended my day by dropping by a class on burlesque dancing and practiced my shimmy shake moves.


The best part is that Artomatic is entirely gratis! This year it's in the Navy Yard neighborhood... not too much of a hike for those on the green line.



Details:
55 M Street, S.E. Washington, DC 20003
(at the corner with Half Street above the Navy Yard Metro)

Metro stop: Green Line, Navy Yard, Ballpark exit

May 29–July 5, 2009
Wednesdays and Thursdays
5 p.m. – 10 p.m

Fridays and Saturdays
12 noon – 1 a.m.

Sundays 12 noon – 10 p.m.

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays



photos courtesy of Edward Underwood Photography and Fine Art Photography by Scott Speck.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Film - The Next Industrial Revolution

The Next Industrial Revolution
Narrated by Susan Sarandon

The Next Industrial Revolution is a film produced by Earthome Productions to communicate the work and vision of architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart, two leaders in a growing movement to transform the relationship between commerce and nature. McDonough and Braungart work with corporations with over half a trillion dollars in annual sales, companies like Ford and Nike, to redesign buildings, processes, and products to work according to nature's rules. View trailer here.

The Emergence Community Arts Collective is hosting a showing of this 55 minute film Tuesday, May 19 from 7pm - 9pm at their location in Northwest. Discussion will follow. Suggested donation $5.

The Emergence Community Arts Collective is located at 733 Euclid Street NW. For questions, please contact 202.462.2285.

Photo courtesy of Penn State University's Center for Sustainability.