Looking for an event or two to entertain and educate? There are so many things in Phoenix these days. Here are a few of the things that we think rise to the top for your attention in February.
1) Local First Arizona if hosting a movie and discussion series on food waste called “Wasted: The Story of Food Waste.” Tuesday, February 11th at Film Bar. Events tickets required.
“WASTED! The Story of Food Waste aims to change the way people buy, cook, recycle, and eat food. Through the the eyes of chef-heroes like Bourdain, Dan Barber, Mario Batali, Massimo Bottura, and Danny Bowien, audiences will see how the world’s most influential chefs make the most of every kind of food, transforming what most people consider scraps into incredible dishes that create a more secure food system.”
“After the showing we will have local business owners to talk about what they are doing in food recovery, food waste reduction and composting to make an impact on their community.”
2) Oh My Ears!
Oh My Ears embarks on their 7th New Music Festival this February 20th-23rd. Oh My Ears, also known as OME, is Arizona’s largest presenter of new and experimental music.
The 2020 Festival brings together over 40 creative music makers, ranging from Phoenix to the Netherlands and Hong Kong.
Oh My Ears has a long history of utilizing independently and locally owned venues, and this year will be no different. The 2020 Festival will take place at Crescent Ballroom, the Carver Museum, Phoenix College, Lunchbox, and the Newton.
3) Tour the Phoenix Recovered Materials Facility, February 27th.
Remember those little videos that Marshall Shore and I did, touring the Phoenix recycling facility? Well, Local First Arizona is doing a tour event of one of those facilities just for you.
“Do you ever wonder what happens to your recycling once it leaves your curbside bin? Meet Local First Arizona’s Green Team at Phoenix’s Material Recovery Facility (aka the MRF) where you will see how recycling is sorted and processed. This eye-opening tour is free and you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for recycling and the people who do it.”
4) Urban Farm U is hosting a Grow PHX happy hour on February 13th at Duck and Decanter.
You’ll get a chance to meet some of the Urban Farming U’s contributors at this event, as well as other folks who are trying to improve our city and our environment through urban gardening.
There will also be door prizes.
5) Phoenix Public Market Turns 15 Years Old!
The Phoenix Public Market, the city’s downtown open air market, is hosting a celebration event on February 22nd.
“To celebrate this occasion we invite our community to the farmers market’s 15 Year Anniversary Celebration.
Dine, shop and discover nearly 100 local vendors. Enjoy live music while you grab brunch with friends in the sunshine.
Chef Kevin Lebron will feature seasonally inspired foods at his cooking demonstration, Maya Dailey (Maya’s Farm) will offer pesto-making activities for families, and sit in on our free workshop.
Guests can enter our event photo contest, write a thank you to their favorite market businesses, and go home with free goodies!”
6) Join the pledge to use less plastic with Attainable AF.
Attainable AF is a sustainability consulting firm that advised us on our attempts to make Phoestivus more sustainable.
They are hosting a challenge for you to commit to using your durable bottle for all of 2020. You can help cut the use of 1 million bottles in 2020.
Did you know that Every ONE minute 1x million disposable plastic bottles are consumed globally—90,000 in the USA every minute.
By taking this pledge, you can help encourage change.
7) Help Preserve Arizona’s Historic Spaces
Senate Bill 2551 has been introduced this session to fully fund ($10 million a year) to the State Parks Heritage Fund. As advocates for historic preservation, parks, open space, non-motorized trails, and outdoor/environmental education, you are encouraged to voice your opinion on SB2551 to your state legislator.
8) Walter Hive Hosts a Fundraiser for its Maker Space
Walter Hive is already a maker space, and provides education for young people of all age. You can learn how to weld, do woodworking, metalworking and any number of amazing arts and crafts.
“Our signature workshop, The Design Series, is state of the art and follows a renowned international arts education model. This collaborative workshop, catered towards teens, works directly with other nonprofits who serve the youth. We introduce art/tech skills including welding, woodworking, laser cutting, programming LEDs, and painting. The participants then design and build an interactive community art project.”
The Big Buzz is their upcoming fundraiser event to build their capacity to reach more people, particularly youth, with their inclusive and empowering educational series.
9) Re-think Almonds!
I’m the Debbie Downer who goes to a cocktail party and brings up how bad Almonds are for Arizona’s water supply, as well as for our bee populations. This, after people I just met were talking about how much they love almonds.
No. Really. It happened.
But, I couldn’t help it after I saw this hum-dinger of an article from The Guardian.
It is worth a read, especially as much of the coverage is here in Arizona.
There are other alternatives that we need to consider, and there is lot we can do to cut down on pesticide use, too.
