Green Weekend: Sustainable cities, kitchens, and more

Here's your guide to an eco-friendly weekend! Like to plan ahead? Check out the Emerald City calendar to find out about all the green events around town.

Thursday, Jan. 17

Silver Lake Green Drinks (free; pay for own drinks) -- The Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Green Drinks has no agenda or theme. The event is simply composed of the people who attend.  All you have to do is show up ready to hang out and meet a few like-minded people over drinks.

Friday, Jan. 18

Presentation by Peter Newman on sustainable cities (free) - Global Green USA Headquarters, 2218 Main St., 2nd Floor, Santa Monica. 7 p.m. This is a rare chance to meet the Australian environmental scientist Peter Newman, author of the new book “Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems” and a leading figure in the new urbanist movement.

Saturday, Jan. 19

The Sustainable Kitchen workshop ($25) - All Shades of Green, 3038 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles. 10 a.m. Learn how to make your shopping, cooking, and eating practices eco-friendy with sustainability coach Deborah Tull. Pre-registration is required; call All Shades of Green at (323) 665-7454 to sign up.

Parkland meeting: L.A. Citywide Community Needs Assessment (free) - Glassell Park Recreation Center, 3650 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles. Noon. The city of L.A. wants to hear what you have to say; attend one of the upcoming citywide workshops to assess community needs for recreation activities and parks!

Sunday, Jan. 20

International Handcrafted Gifts Expo - Santa Monica Doubletree Hilton Hotel, 1707 4th St., Santa Monica. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The goal of this free international exposition is to bring the work of female craft artists and artisans to new markets in the U.S. and help reduce poverty in developing countries. Fifty female artist vendors from 20 countries will showcase a wide range of handcrafted folk art and crafts.

Image courtesy of Island Press