I hate Earth Day.
While the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, no one save a few stinky hippies gave a smoldering compost pile about it until the early 1990s. And by that time, April 22 had become an important day for another reason: in 1976 it became my birthday.
This Wednesday I'll be celebrating April 22 in my customary way: spandex suit, tub of Vaseline, Slip 'n Slide. But if you're not interested in joining me for that celebration (and for some reason, no on ever is) and would rather celebrate Mother Earth than Uncle Zach, here are some Earth Day activities in The Ville this week (most of which take place this weekend rather than on April 22--most likely out of respect for me rather than Earth Day falling on a weekday).
Where you can pick upBrightside Pre-Derby Cleanup
Jefferson Square Park
April 22, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. kick-off celebration, 2 to 4 p.m. cleanup
Celebrate Derby spirit by volunteering to do something that your taxes should cover: clean downtown Louisville so it doesn't look unsightly for our millionaire guests next weekend. Brightside will provide free t-shirts, bags and gloves to pre-registered volunteers. (Are Louisville Metro Public Works and Assets employees compensated in swag or do they get dollars?) Mayor Jerry is slated to address volunteers, although it's unclear if he'll stick around and risk soiling his pocket square. For more information, call (502) 574-5000.
Olmsted Parks Conservancy Volunteer Event
Shawnee Park
1299 Trevilian Way
April 25, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Meet at the parking lot off the Southwestern and Northwestern Parkways to help preserve this historic park. Register to pick up other people's trash with sarah.wolff@olmstedparks.org.
Where you can go greenCar Free Guides to Louisville Neighborhoods
These brochures, published by the Coalition for the Advancement of Regional Transportation, provide practical information for jettisoning your car in favor of getting around on bike, public transportation or foot.
Louisville Community Supported AgricultureThis website contains a list of local community supported agriculture (CSA), which help supply people with locally produced agriculture. (Via Consuming Louisville)
Sustain
3724 Frankfort Ave
Yes, yes, yes...every day should be Earth Day (accept April 22 anyway). Shopping for sustainable resources at Sustain will allow you to pull off the triple crown of being local, being green and keeping Louisville weird.
Where you can have funJefferson Memorial Forest: Family Fishing FundamentalsApril 25, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.Tom Wallace LakeExplore the aquatic environment of plants, fish and their neighbors and learn about fishing safety at this activity The registration fee is just $10 for a family of four, $5 for each additional person.
Party for the Planet: The Mayor's Community Celebration of Earth DayApril 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Louisville Zoo1100 Trevilian WayFor $1, guests to the zoo will learn how to create wind power; dig for earthworms; and see displays by the American Association of Zookeepers, the National Weather Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mayor Jerry will be here too, presenting the first-ever Steering the Future of Beargrass Creek Award at 10:30 a.m. (Twenty bucks says he gives the award to Cordish.)
Olmsted Parks Conservancy Walk in the Park--Wildflower WalkCherokee Park1299 Trevilian WayApril 26, 1 to 4 p.m.This wildflower walk is a way to enjoy a local park on Earth Day without having to clean up something. Register for this easy to moderate hike with sarah.wolff@olmstedparks.org.
(Photo: Flickr/BL1961)
