We have talked about Portland Green Drinks on our blog in the past (I mean really, who can forget the Green Drinks Goodwill Spectacular!?).  Green Drinks is a monthly event in which people in the community get together around a common interest: the natural environment and what we can do to be more sustainable in our daily lives and work.  Many Green Drinks events feature different local organizations engaged in green practices.

But did you know that there are Green Drink meet-ups in several towns across New Hampshire and Vermont?  Green Drinks started at a small pub in London in 1988 and has grown by the hundreds since then.  If you live in these areas, be sure to check out the sites to find out when the next Green Drinks event is scheduled!

New Hampshire

1.Green Drinks Portsmouth meets the third Thursday of each month at 2 Ceres Street, from 6-9 pm.  If you would like to receive a monthly reminder email, please contact Joe Harrison. 

2.Keene Green Drinks is held the second Monday of every month.  It is hosted the Monadnock Sustainability Network, “committed to encouraging sustainable living practices and resource conservation in the region through direct advocacy, education and outreach.”

3.Green Drinks Concord is held the second Thursday of each month at The Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub (72 Manchester Street).  If you are interested in being a local presenter or have an idea for a future Green Drinks event, please contact Barb Morris or call (603) 325-2168.

The next event will be Monday, July 6, at the E.F. Lane Hotel, 30 Main Street.  For more information, please contact Bonnie Hudspeth.

4. Mount Washington Valley Green Drinks meets in the Conway area.  I could not find a regular schedule, so please contact Cimbria for more information.  It is hosted by local Sustainability Network, which also coordinates the Brattleboro, Vermont Green Drinks.

Vermont

1. Burlington Green Drinks is held the last Tuesday of every month at the Skinny Pancake, located at the corner of Lake and College Streets. You can sign up for email updates by visiting the Skinny Pancake’s site and entering your email with and checking “green news.”

Each event features a different sponsor that presents their green initiatives in the Greater Burlington community.  If you would like to be a presenter, please contact Robbie for more details.

2. Montpelier Green Drinks: the only information I could find was a contact email.  If anyone in the Montpelier area has more information, please let me know!

3. Brattleboro Green Drinks recently held a Green Drinks events in early June, which featured Kevin Lyons of Rutgers University, who is known as the “guru” of green purchasing practices.  The next event is scheduled for July 16 at The Marina, 28 Springtree Road.  For more information or to host an event, please email Jim or Cimbria.

With summer on the way, public transit systems often offer great deals for summer riding.  This is the first in a series of  blog posts that highlight public transportation systems in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont and some of the great deals they offer to get out of the house this summer.  First up:

METRO (Portland, Maine)

The METRO serves the City of Portland and the surrounding communities of Falmouth, South Portland, and Westbrook.

METRO Summer Youth Pass
The summer youth pass is back! For only $20, children and teens (18 and younger) can ride the METRO all summer, with unlimited rides.  This is a really great deal and it is the perfect way for youth to get around Greater Portland in a safe, green way!  Bike racks and wheelchair lifts are available on all buses.

From the METRO:

Head to the beach, go shopping, visit an island (take the #8 METRO Bus to Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal), hike Portland Trails or see a movie. Visit your friends or take the bus to your job or summer camp.  Visit the METRO website for more fun summer trip ideas!

You can buy your Summer Youth Pass at these locations:

**METRO Downtown Transportation Center (PULSE) on Elm Street

**Participating Hannaford’s and Shaw’s Supermarket locations on bus routes (Youth Passes are not available at Hannaford’s on Forest Avenue)

**Casco Bay Ferry Terminal

**Portland and South Portland City Hall METRO office, 114 Valley Street

METRO Free Ride Home Program (Portland, Maine)

Also, did you know that if you take the bus to our Union Station Goodwill on St. John or the Forest Avenue Goodwill and show the driver your receipt for a purchase of $5 or more, you get the ride the bus for free?!  Leave your car at home this summer and enjoy a free bus ride on bus!  Please visit the METRO site for more details.

Hey Portland!  Be sure to stop by the SPACE Gallery at 538 Congress Street tomorrow evening, Tuesday, May 12, from 5:30-8:30 pm for a unique event!

This  one-of-a-kind Greendrinks event born from the combined resources of Space Gallery, Rose Street, and Goodwill Industries of Northern New England. Come network with environmentally-minded Portlanders, while enjoying locally brewed beer, and browsing a selection of items from area Goodwill stores, specifically chosen with you in mind. Bring your wallets!

Our Goodwill boutique will feature hip clothing, unique jewelery, and used bikes – just in time for spring riding. Arrive with an item to donate, and receive a ticket for the night’s raffle drawing.

What: Greendrinks: Goodwill Spectacular

Where: SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress Street

When: Tuesday, May 23, 5:30 to 8:30 pm

This event is 21+

Please visit Portland Green Drinks for more information.

Each year, Portland Buy Local, which supports independent local businesses and non-profit organizations to build community economic strength,  hosts the Indie Biz Awards.  The awards recognize businesses and organizations that have had a great impact on Greater Portland and the State of Maine.

Goodwill was nominated in the “Portland Totem” category, which recognizes local businesses or organizations that have a long history in the community.  Thanks, Portland!

Goodwill has been in Portland for more than 75 years, so we are very excited to be nominated!

We hope you can take the time to vote for us and other businesses that you believe have made an impact on our communities.  Please Vote at Portland Buy Local by May 15.

Do you want to find out who won?  Come join us at the Indie Biz Awards on Wednesday, May 20, from 6 to 9 pm at Empire Dine and Dance on Congress Street in Portland.

Many thanks for your continued support!

From now until December 24, you can drop off donations for Goodwill at 15 different local businesses in Portland. Goodwill is partnering with Portland Buy Local for their “Buy Local, Give Local” campaign.

Please spread the word so people know to bring their donations when they do their holiday shopping! Please also consider shopping at these local business as a thank you for their support of Goodwill. Portland Buy Local is an organization dedicated to educating the community about the benefits of shopping at local businesses and giving to local non-profits. Goodwill has been a Sustaining Member since 2008.

You Can Drop off Donations at these Local Businesses:

Aikido of Maine

Casco Bay Frames

Clay City Redux

Corduroy Surf Boutique
(Receive a $5 gift card when you bring in a donation!)

David Munster’s TV

Dodge the Florist

Ferdinand

Longfellow Books

L.T.’s, Inc.

North Star Music Cafe

Planet Dog

Portmanteau

Rosemont Floral

Tsunami Tattoo

Videoport