Events: Let’s make DC more sustainable

If someone called DC “the healthiest, greenest, and most livable city in the United States,” would you agree? Could it become that? What do experts say?

DC's Department of Energy and Environment (DDOE) has been working on Sustainable DC 2.0, its sustainablity plan, for the last five years. GGWash founder David Alpert will moderate a panel on the subject at a launch party on Wednesday, April 19, at 6 pm at Wunder Garten (1101 First Street NE) in NoMa.

Panelists will include Nspiregreen LLC's Veronica Davis (who is also a GGWash contributor), former DC Office of Planning Director Harriet Tregoning, and the Nature Conservancy's Kahlil Kettering.

Also, save the date for our next happy hour on the deck of the Dew Drop Inn (2801 8th Street NE) next Thursday, April 27 from 6 to 8 pm. Formerly home to Chocolate City Brewing Company, this bar's rooftop deck has an awesome view of the Red Line tracks.

To get there, you can take the Red Line to either the Rhode Island Avenue or Brookland-CUA Metro stations. From Rhode Island Avenue, the bar is about a half-mile up the Metropolitan Branch Trail, just past the Franklin Street overpass. From Brookland, it’s six blocks south of the station along 8th Street. If you’re coming by bus, the Metrobus D8, G8, and H8 all stop within two blocks, while several other routes stop at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro. There’s also a Capital Bikeshare station three blocks away at 7th and Hamlin Streets NE.

Beyond those two, don't miss the other great events happening this week and next:

Tuesday, April 18: Earlier this year, Montgomery County Executive Leggett released a plan to get bus rapid transit (BRT) running on Route 29 from Burtonsville to Downtown Silver Spring by 2020. This project will bring needed transit to many underserved Montgomery County residents. Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth and other transit supporters at the County Council meeting at 7:30 pm at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville to take a stand for this great project.

Tuesday, April 18: The Maryland General Assembly recently came to a close. Get the latest on what happened in the legislative session from Delegate Marc Korman at this month's Action Committee for Transit meeting at 7:30 pm at Silver Spring Civic Center (One Veterans Place).

Friday, April 21: The Rosslyn Business Improvement District is putting on “CAFE,” or Community, Arts, Food, and Entertainment, every Friday evening in April. The theme is “April Arts & Beats,” and events will be at the Bennett Park Art Atrium (1601 Clarendon Boulevard). They'll feature complimentary light bites from local restaurants, a DJ, and a cash bar. RSVP now to grab your spot!

Next Tuesday, April 25: A lot of new buildings are planned for Silver Spring. Get the inside scoop on the latest development from Robert Kronenberg, a chief planner in the area, next Tuesday, April 25, at 7 pm at Silver Spring Civic Center (One Veterans Place). There will be a discussion after.