Calendar of Events

May 2011 Event Details

May 7, 2011
Lawrenceville Blossom Tour
The Blossom Tour is a celebration of Spring and Lawrencville's dedication to local goods & services. Travel down Butler Street on May 7th and 8th to see all that our local artisans, craftsmakers, businesses, bakers and more have to offer! Sustainability starts at home, and what better way to take action than to plant your own garden? At each official Blossom Tour stop, we're giving out free seed packets! These seeds are responsibly and sustainably grown and the selection is specially designed for our climate. If you plant all of them, you'll have a bountiful garden that can feed an entire family! And don't forget: Sunday, May 8th is Mothers Day! Celebrate with mom by going shopping, picking up seeds and touring Lawrenceville shops and galleries! Visit http://blossomtour.wordpress.com for more info!
May 7, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Household Chemical Collection
Safely dispose of common household chemicals. Acceptable Items Include: aerosol cans,auto fluids,batteries,chemistrysets, CFLs,gasoline & kerosene,mercury,household cleaners,paint,pesticides,herbicides,pool and photo chemicals. Fee $2 gallon/ cash only. For more info visit www.zerowastepgh.org or call 412-488-7452.
May 7, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Township of Pine Recycle Rama 2011
The following will be collected: Appliances, Athletic Wear/Sports Equipment, Bicycles, Blankets, Towels, Dog Crates and Collars, Leashes, Metal Feed Dishes, Books, Clothing, Shoes, Household Items, Reusable Construction Materials, Electronics, Eyeglasses, Furniture and Bedding, Glass Bottles and Jars, Home Health Equipment (crutches, walkers, manual wheelchairs, canes, nebulizers, shower benches, shower chairs, unused/unexpired/unopened/original packaging: bandages, gauze, catheters, gloves and syringes), Luggage, Paper and Cardboard, Plastics #1 through #6, Plastic Grocery and Dry Cleaning Bags, Printer Cartridges, Rechargeable and alkaline batteries, scrap metal. All parties have the right to refuse items. Questions may be directed to Kathryn at (724) 625-1636 X 122.
http://www.twp.pine.pa.us
May 7, 2011, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mount Washington Neighborhood Blitz
The Black and Gold City Goes Green campaign and Mount Washington CDC are teaming up to blitz Mount Washington! Join us as we go door-to-door giving our neightbors on the mount great green giveaways that will help them save energy and reduce their global warming impact. Meet some Pittsburgh neighbors and make a difference in our region by signing up to volunteer at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QLPBT3J.
http://www.theBlackandGoldCityGoesGreen.com
May 10, 2011, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Gasland: A Community Discussion
Please join us for a screening and discussion of the documentary film Gasland, co-sponsored by Sustainable Monroeville. The largest natural gas drilling boom in U.S. history has swept across the country, as the drilling technology of 'fracking' or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a 'Saudia Arabia of natural gas' beneath our feet. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey to find out.
http://www.monroevillelibrary.org
May 10, 2011, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Feeding the Earth Workshop
Most of PRC's "Greening Our Lives" workshops teach a new practice, a new habit, one that improves the impacts of our lives on our own health, and the health of the larger world. Feeding the Earth is a little different. It invites us to step back a bit, and look at the bigger picture. It presents composting within the history of consumer-farming relations, and the landscape of current environmental and social challenges. When we view composting in these larger fields, it takes on a heightened importance and value. Amd urgency: believe it or not, there is growing competition for compostable waste! And these options have very different impacts; several do not produce any soil amendment whatsoever. What are the options for compostable waste? How can we, together, build a composting infrastruction in our region that maximizes the environmental and social benefits of this critical frontier? This workshop is a slide-show/lecture, rich in beautiful and interesting images, followed by ample time for Q&A and discussion. The instructor, Program Manager of Regional Composting Initiatives at PRC, has taught the history and ecology of agriculture for 20 years; manageed farmers' markets; assisted community gardens; worked on compositing facilities and on farms in five U.S. states. Cider, cheese and crackers will be served. This is the last class until the autumn! Register at http://www.zerowastepgh.org/ZW-PRC-feedingearth.html and join us for this stimulating evening!
http://www.zerowastepgh.org
May 14, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hard to Recycle Collection Event
The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), in partnership with the Allegheny County Health Department and Colcom Foundation, is providing opportunities for area residents to properly dispose of a wide variety of materials at hard-to-recycle collection events. At the upcoming events, individuals can drop off televisions, e-waste, cell phones, printer/toner cartridges, compact fluorescent bulbs, alkaline batteries and tires without rims for recylcing. There is a new focus on not just recycling but also reuse at this year's events. PRC is partnering once again with Global Links which will enable area residents to drop off medical equipment and supplies such as crutches, canes and walkers at PRC collection events at no cost. Construction Junction will be present at every event collecting usable building material (for more details visit www.constructionjunction.org for reuse).
http://www.zerowastepgh.org/ZW-PRC-hardtorecycle.html
May 14, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Allegheny Mountain Green Fest
Want to Green Your Routine?? Wish to learn more about local food, energy conservation, backyard wildlife habitat, gardening and other ways to live green? Then come to the Allegheny Mountain Green Fest for a fun, affordable, all-day event! Keynote speaker Mike McGrath, host of National Public Radio show You Bet Your Garden, will present The Seven Secrets of Successful Organic Gardeners and a workshop on growing tomatoes. The Eco Expo will feature businesses offering products and services that will help you green your routine, and in many cases, save you some green! You can purchase products such as rain barrels, local foods, natural health supplements, solar & other green building supplies, and native landscape plants. Green Fest will also include hands-on workshops, engaging speakers and Kids' Patch activities. Workshops will incorporate helpful how-to's on subjects such as canning, home energy audits, kitchen remedies, wine making, composting and much more! Ticket prices range from $0-15, and free on-site parking is available. Purchase advanced tickets by Friday, May 6th to receive $5 off the gate ticket price. Discounts are also available to Natural Biodiversity members, kids under 5, students of all ages, AmeriCorps members, senior citizens and veterans. Natural Biodiversity is devising a contest to reward those who refer the most attendees, so let your friends know about the event. Green prizes will be awarded to contest winners. To order advanced tickets, lodging or lunch, and for more information, visit http://www.ohmonth.com/greenfest.shtml or contact the Natural Biodiversity office at (814) 534-0204. Green Fest is organized by Natural Biodiversity, a nonprofit conservation organization based in Johnstown, PA. Green Fest is supported in part by funding from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and USDA, and by generous sponsorships from Foundation for PA Watersheds and Southern Alleghenies Conservancy and RC&D Council.
http://www.ohmonth.com/greenfest.shtml
May 14, 2011, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Clean Water Action Citizen Engagement Event
Improving the environment may feel like a daunting task, but there are many small steps that each of us can take to collectively create a greener future! Join us for an informative evening that will arm you with the tools you need to start taking action on your own.
http://www.jccpgh.org
May 14, 2011, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Opening Reception: Too Shallow for Diving: The 21st Century is Treading Water
Exhibition's opening reception, featuring "Water: A Love Poem" spoken word performance by Vanessa German at 8:00 p.m.
http://www.jccpgh.org
May 20, 2011, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Bike to Work Day Breakfast
BikePGH's Car Free Fridays is kicking off the biking season with National Bike to Work Day on May 20th! Launched in 2009, Car Free Fridays brings the Pittsburgh region together in support of a mutual objective: "to challenge commuters not to drive alone to work. If you bike to, or part way to, work on Bike to Work Day you can enjoy a free breakfast at one of six locations throughout the city: Market Square, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Chatham University, REI South Side, and Whole Foods Market. Details about the event can be found at http://carfreefridays.org. Take a moment to write a letter to the Major thanking him for the 25 more miles of bike lanes and sharrows he's promised by next year! Sign up for the Car Free Calculator to track your walking and biking miles for a chance to win prizes! See how your activity affects your pocketbook, health and the environment at http://www.carfreecalculator.com.
http://bike-pgh.org
May 25, 2011, 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Western PA Environmental Awards
Join Pennsylvania Environmental Council for Pittsburgh's annual awards dinner event featuring the winners of the Western PA Environmental Awards.
http://www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/files/calendar.html
May 25, 2011, 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Backyard Composting Workshops
This workshop thoroughly covers the importance of composting, setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways of using finished compost. Participants will receive an Earth Machine Compost Bin with attendance. This bin, approved across the state as an ideal bin for urban and suburban areas, has an eighty-gallon capacity.
http://www.zerowastepgh.org/ZW-PRC-adultEdu.html
May 27, 2011, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Book Launch and Discussion "Stop Signs"
Book launch and discussion with authors Yves Engler and Bianca Mugyenyi on "Stop Signs: Cars and Capitalism on the Road to Economic, Social and Ecological Decay". For more information, go to http://stopsigns.fairtrademedia.com. To get in touch with the authors, please call (514) 618-2253 or email stopsignsbook@gmail.com.
http://www.thebigideapgh.org
May 28, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pasa Farm Start: Quiet Creek Herb Farm
Open House - New Yurt with bottle brick wall and earthen floor, tours of herb garden and hi tunnels, Shiitake mushroom demonstration, sustainable energy system (solar and wind) tour, organic vegetarian luncheon, kids' games, bluebird seminar, Australian music, and lots of plants, mushroom logs and products for sale. Visit http://www.quietcreekherbfarm.com.
http://www.pasafarming.org/calendar-of-events
May 28, 2011, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pasa Farm Start: BBQ Picnic and Bluegrass
Admission is free. Food and refreshments available for purchase.
http://www.pasafarming.org/calendar-of-events

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