Clean Water Action

August & September 2008 Events

Event: Flow for the Love of Water
Date: Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3, 2008
Time: 7:30 PM Friday, 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM Saturday, 2:00 PM Sunday
Location: Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
Description: Politics, pollution, and human rights wash into this provocative wake-up call exploring the planet’s coming shortage of drinking water and corporate plans to privatize the delivery of clean water. Inspiring heroes emerge — from African plumbers reconnecting a shantytown’s pipes in the dark of night to a California scientist who exposes dangerous toxin levels. 2007, video, 83 minutes. Admission $8.00 for non-members, $6.00 for members
For more info: Visit Walker Art Center Calendar

Event: Grazefest Minnesota
Date: Friday, August 1 – Saturday, August 2, 2008
Time: Friday, 9:00 AM starting time; Saturday, 4:30 – 9:00 PM
Location: Friday: MiddMinn Dairy near Verndale; Saturday: England Prairie, south of Verndale
Description: The Sustainable Farming Association of MN hosts Grazefest Minnesota to promote the health benefits of pasture-raised foods, the positive environmental impacts of grazing, and the economic benefits of from local, pasture-raised foods. Farmers and other experts will speak on starting a grass-based dairy, low cost parlor design, New Zealand style swing parlors, low-cost/low-labor dairying, selling your carbon credits, pastured egg production, forage production and economics, irrigated pastures and pasture tours.
For more info: Visit Sustainable Farming Association

Event: Eco Camp for Kids (Grades 3-5)
Date: Monday, August 4 – Friday, August 8, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Warehouse in Pine River
Description: Join in the fun at Eco Camp for Kids! Learn what sustainable living is all about, and have fun doing it! Experiments, arts & crafts, projects, games, & activities. Bring a sack lunch and beverage...snacks provided. Tutiton: $50 for the session.
For more info: Contact Happy Dancing Turtle: 218.587.2303 or visit Happy Dancing Turtle

Event: Worm Wrassling 101
Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Hunt Utilities Group Campus, Hwy 2 west of Pine River
Description: Compost inside using a worm bin...easy to maintain, no going outdoors to dump your compostable waste, create rich compost material for your garden right under your sink! Make a worm bin composter to take home. Snack provided. Instructors: Quinn Swanson & Barb Hines. Adults ages 15 & up, limit of 10. Tuition of $25.
For more info: Pine River-Backus Community Education: 218.587.2080

Event: Shore Land Buffer Zone Expo
Date: Saturday, August 9, 2008
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Deep Portage Conservation Reserve (east of Hackensack)
Description: Do you want to help preserve the quality of your shore land and adjacent waters, protect your property values, and enhance your joy of lake- or river-side living? If you do, attend the Shore Land Buffer Expo which features a number of hour-long workshops as well as a variety of educational exhibits - all with an emphasis on practical, hands-on, how-to-do-it information. Cosponsored by the Cass County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and Deep Portage Conservation Reserve. Fee: $15/person or $25/couple (includes lunch)
For more info: Jack Fitzgerald at 218.682.2941 or jjfitz@tds.net

Event: Eco Camp for Kids (Grades 6-8)
Date: Monday, August 11 to Friday, August 15, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Warehouse in Pine River
Description: Join in the fun at Eco Camp for Kids! Learn what sustainable living is all about, and have fun doing it! Experiments, arts & crafts, projects, games, & activities. Bring a sack lunch and beverage...snacks provided. Tuition: $50 for the session.
For more info: Contact Happy Dancing Turtle - 218.587.2303 or visit Happy Dancing Turtle

Event: Green Drinks
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Birchwood Cafe, 3311 E 25th Street, Minneapolis
Description: Action in Schools, Congregations, and Neighborhoods
For more info: Contact Diana McKeown, Metro CERTs Network Coordinator, 612.278.7125

Event: Community Quest
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM Start Time, Finish time will vary by team but must end by 3:00 PM
Location: To be determined
Description: In teams you will wind your way through our community, using clues and maps to search for secret surprises. Each set of clues brings you to a hidden "treasure chest"...pick up proof of your visits to each station as you go. Learn fascinating facts while enjoying the challenge of this community quest. Each participant will receive a "grand prize" at the end of the quest. Sign up in teams of 4-5 people...friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, etc. Lunch on your own - flexible as you travel.
For more info: Contact Pine River-Backus Community Education - 218.587.2080

Event: Bloomington Sustainable Saturdays
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2008
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Location: Civic Plaza - near the Council Chambers (1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington
Description: A monthly series featuring green information for your home and family at the Bloomington Farmer's Market. On August 16 there will be three presentations ranging from green cleaning supplies (Simply Neutral), organic food (Fresh and Natural Food), and green roofs (Earth Wizards).
For more info: Contact Michaela Ahernd, 952.563.8928

Event: Twin Cities Fresh Taste Festival
Date: Sunday, August 17, 2008
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Nicollet Island Pavillion, Minneapolis
Description: A day-long event to celebrate the best in organic, local and sustainable food products and wines.
For more info: Visit www.freshtaste.com

Event: Citizen Water Monitoring Workshop
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: Eisenhower Community Center, Rm 215 E, 1001 Hwy 7, Hopkins, MN
Description: Minnesota Waters and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, with support from the Bush Foundation, are offering a series of trainings throughout the summer and fall designed for members of lake, stream and watershed associations. These workshops aim to provide citizens with the resources and support to build the internal organizational capacity and overall knowledge base of their locally-led lake and river groups. Ultimately, these workshops will assist groups in their effort to become lasting, thriving, and effective in their water conservation work. Cost is $10 per person, free for groups of 3 or more.
For more info: Contact Leah Peterson at 320.223.1727
RSVP: Registration deadline is Wednesday, July 30

Event: Wade into Your Watershed
Date: Saturday, August 23rd
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: North metro suburbs
Description: If you're looking for a unique, in-depth opportunity to contribute to the health of your watershed without having to earn your Masters, SHEP may be the perfect fit. SHEP or the Stream Health Evaluation Program trains citizens to sample benthic macroinvertebrates (small stream-dwelling bugs) then use these samples to assess stream quality. Working in the northern metro suburbs, and as part of a team, volunteers contribute roughly 30 hours between the required Saturday, August 23rd 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM training, September and October stream sampling sessions, November lab times and early January results release party.
For more info: Contact Sue Rich, Tuesday-Thursday at 651.222.2193 x 14

Event: LEED New Development Tour of Excelsior & Grand
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008
Time: 3:45 - 6:00 PM
Location: St. Louis Park
Description: More information will be posted closer in time to the event. Sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council - Mississippi Headwaters Chapter.
For more info: Visit Green Building Council

Event: Ripple Effect: Youth Climate Event
Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Time: 12:30 – 7:00 PM
Location: State Capitol Lawn Mall, St. Paul, MN
Description: A non-partisan youth climate event. The event will feature three stages with local and nationally recognized musicians and speakers, a designated area for youth climate trainings including a national non-partisan get out the vote campaign, an artist's quarter, and space for local/national environmental and human rights organizations to table. The event is run by the local youth organization Substance, in partnership with Global Exchange, Will Steger Foundation, Veterens for Peace, Code Pink, TEAM Minnesota, and the Energy Action Coalition, and anticipates an audience of 7-10,000.
For more info: Ripple Effect

Event: Lake Superior Energy Fair
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008
Time: See website
Location: Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth
Description: The Lake Superior Energy Fair promotes Clean Energy technology with demonstration booths and educational workshops in renewable energy, sustainable living, clean transportation, etc. The Festival, in collaboration with the Lake Superior Harvest Festival, is a one day, family-oriented outdoor event that attracts thousands of visitors to feast on locally produced food, to stock up at the farmer's market, to watch demonstrations by skilled artisans and environmental and energy innovators. The Festival has hands-on clean energy demonstrations and exhibits.
For more info: www.lakesuperiorenergy.org

Event: St. Paul Classic Bike Tour
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2008
Time: 7:15 AM Registration, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Bike Event
Location: Start location varies based on route choice
Description: The Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour is an annual cycling event held in Saint Paul in early September. Enjoy the 15- or 30-mile route, fully-equipped with rest stops, bicycle maintenance and support, great local food and cold drinks, live music, and much more! Register before July 15 for best prices. New in 2008: NO SURCHARGE for online registration.
For more info: Visit St. Paul Bike Classic

Event: Green Drinks
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Birchwood Café, 3311 East 25 street, Minneapolis
Description: Energy from the Sun
For more info: Contact Diana McKeown, Metro CERTs Network Coordinator, 612.278.7125

Event: Austin Re-fest
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008
Time: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Location: Riverland Community College, 1900 8th Ave NW, Austin
Description: A day-long celebration of Clean Energy and Green Living
For more info: Visit Re-Fest.org