While Earth Day comes only once a year, the effort to save the environment is a continuous job. No time is better than the present to start caring.
The Green Apple Festival kicks off Earth Day 2008 celebration Sunday on the National Mall. The event will include appearances by political candidates, community activists, a slew of celebrities and musical performances by the Roots, Thievery Corporation and the D.C. Boys Choir. It's a partnership with several other cities nationwide, including Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas and Miami. The daylong Green Apple Festival began last year in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, but has since expanded its mission.
Feeling like getting down and dirty? You should go to the National Zoo on Saturday between 9 and 11 a.m. to help clean Rock Creek Park. Beautification happens one helping hand at a time, but get there early - registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
If you're overwhelmed by the weekend, there's more. On Monday, come help start the GreenDC Week at Freedom Plaza, where exhibits on energy consumption, air quality and water use will be on display. Additionally, there will be a wide range of hands-on activities that will have you saving the earth in no time.
And Tuesday? Well, that would be Earth Day. Check out the Fourth Annual National Sustainable Design Expo, on display until Tuesday on the National Mall. It's your day to shine, so do what's good for the earth.
-ANDREW GARDNER
