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Recap of last gathering                                          Archive                                          What is Green Drinks?

will be the official reception
of the 18th Annual Maryland Environmental Legislative Summit

Tuesday, January 24

Continue the Conversation begun at SUMMIT AT GREEN DRINKS

Maryland Environmental
Legislative Summit
5-6:30 p.m.
at the
Miller Senate Office Building 
11 Bladen Street, Annapolis
(across from the State House)

followed by

at the

128 West Street, Annapolis
New Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

At the 18th Annual Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) Legislative Summit in Annapolis hear from top legislative leaders and advocates about the environmental priorities for the 2012 General Assembly Session. 2012 will be a critical year for clean air and water so it's important to be informed.

The Summit gives environmental advocates and legislators a chance to present their environmental priorities for the session. The Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and 16 other groups host the summit annually to launch the environmental agenda for the Maryland General Assembly Session. | See the Summit agenda

Once the Summit over, everyone is invited to "Continue the Conversation" about the legislative agenda for the environment at Green Drinks. The Loews is within walking distance of the Miller Building or hop on an eCruiser. Thank you to eCruisers for providing us with free Green electric shuttle rides. (Don't forget to tip your driver.)

Green Drinks, generously sponsored this month by the Chesapeake Legal Alliance, will not only feature delicious appetizers courtesy of our hosts, Loews Annapolis Hotel, but also the wonderful music of the Rob Levit Trio! Free with a cash bar, as always.

 But join us first at the Summit to learn about the environmental issues topping this year's session and then encourage fellow attendees and legislators to "Continue the Conversation" at Green Drinks.

Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch will present their environmental agendas for the session, along with Environmental Matters Chair Maggie McIntosh and Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Chair Joan Carter-Conway. Governor O'Malley has also been invited.

Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin will describe the environmental imperative.

Please attend this important summit. This year has the potential to be a watershed year for clean water and clean energy—we need your support. This is our moment.

Last year, these organizations participated in the Summit:

1000 Friends of Maryland Anacostia Watershed Society Assateague Coastal Trust Audubon Naturalist Society Chesapeake Bay Foundation Chesapeake Climate Action Network Chester River Association Clean Water Action Coalition for Smarter Growth Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Environment Maryland

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Maryland Pesticide Network Maryland PIRG Montgomery Countryside Alliance National Wildlife Federation Partners for Open Space Patuxent Riverkeeper Sierra Club, Maryland Waterkeeper Alliance, Chesapeake Programs West Rhode Riverkeeper

So plan to attend both the Summit and Green Drinks! There's no RSVP needed for Green Drinks. To RSVP for the Summit, just click here to reach the Maryland League of Conservation Voters' website. 

Get informed, mingle with environmental advocates, legislators and interested citizens! See you at the Summit and at Green Drinks!

Environmental Issues to Follow in the General Assembly

Read Capital environmental reporter Pam Wood's story, "Wind energy among environmental issues before General Assembly" for a summary of issues we all need to follow during this legislative session. They include:

Flush Fee Stormwater Fee

Septic Systems & New Development Offshore Wind Power

Fracking Recycling Bottles & Plastic Bag Tax

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Green Drinks Recap

Thursday, December 8

Maryland Inn, Top of Main Street on Church Circle, Annapolis

We began our Midnight Madness with Green Drinks to get in the mood to Eat Local, Drink Local, and Shop Local!   

A huge crowd began Midnight Madness with Green Drinks as one of our largest  turnouts ever filled the first floor of the historic Maryland Inn! Once again, we picked "the first" Midnight Madness as the date for Green Drinks Annapolis, December 8. It only makes sense to add to the celebration downtown of all things local -- drinking, eating and shopping! More about Midnight Madness: Flyer

We were delighted to see people coming and going -- headed out to support our local businesses on one of the most enjoyable evenings of the holiday season. It was the perfect evening to put everyone in the holiday mood. Even the Three Wise Men, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, came for some holiday greening tips! 

We send out a big thank you to Historic Inns of Annapolis, and in particular General Manager Mike Radike, Kim Rooney, Pam Aber and Trish Brewer. They did a superb job with the delicious appetizers, particularly the potato/sweet potato bar, and with the organic wines other drinks. We had signs posted about Historic Inns' Green practices. Read here. We are so happy to bring new customers to good Green venues. That's part of our mission -- promoting local,  sustainable businesses.

We took over the first floor of the historic Maryland Inn -- lobby, ballroom -- complete with decorations and cozy fires in real fireplaces -- and had a blast. Our hosts offered organic wine, local beers, and delicious appetizers -- see below.

The Menu

Passed items: Coconut Chicken Skewars, Shrimp Wrapped in Bacon, Petit Roast Beef Sandwiches with Horseradish Sauce

Display Items: Spinach Dip with Bread Rounds, Market Style Cheese and Vegetable Display

Potato Bar: Mashed White and Sweet Potatoes with assorted mix-ins and toppings

Many of you said that this was your first time or "first time in a long time" at the Maryland Inn. They remain an Annapolis favorite for your overnight guests, groups, special events and ... dinners. Don't forget: Historic Inns gave us Green Drinkers a 10% discount for dinner at the Treaty of Paris last night but that is also being offered for Midnight Madness Two on December 15th! Just mention Green Drinks when you order.  

After Green Drinks we went out and shopped and bar-hopped until midnight, enjoying the merchants' hospitality, listening to music and carolers on the street, and just enjoying our town. Midnight Madness includes Main Street, Inner West Street, and Maryland Avenue.

Local musician Mike Ruocco entertained us (photo, right) with a great acoustic set. But he's a rocker too as the Singer/Songwriter for the bands Cinder Road and SR-71. Read about Mike at www.mikeruocco.com. It was a wonderful treat to have him join us! We also welcome his followers who joined us at Green Drinks. We hope we can have his entire rockin' band at a future Green Drinks.   

Helping people get around were the  eCruisers, a hip, clean green way to take in all of downtown and even rescue us with our packages. ECruisers is the transportation for Annapolis Urban Adventures' Homes for the Holidays excursion. Read more about their special offer to benefit Green Drinks.    

Partnering with Landmarks Great Deals, we have put together an exciting program -- January Digital Discount Madness -- that includes your favorite stores and restaurants from Midnight Madness offering even better "deals" to have you return in the not-as-busy month of January! Encourage your friends to sign up too, so we can tap you in for more fun and savings (at your leisure) in the New Year! Read more.

The Annapolis Business Association's terrific Annapolis Christmas Ornaments were offered for sale at Green Drinks -- a great gift that benefits us all! Click to learn more and see a close-up of the ornament. It was created by local "ornament scribe" artist Sarah Schabow. Learn more about her. We also sold our Annapolis Green reusable bag -- perfect for carrying your Midnight Madness goodies. They are available online too -- just $8. Click here.

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Join us, have fun, learn, and make serious connections!

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What is Green Drinks Annapolis?

Green Drinks is a happy hour that gives the environmentally minded a chance to get to know one another in a fun informal way facilitating working together for a common cause: The Health of the Chesapeake Bay. It's free and no reservations are required. Cash bar.

There are over 600 Green Drinks organizations around the world. The Annapolis group is the 5th largest in the United States, following New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago. More about Green Drinks International.