I am not finding a lot of new ways to Be Green right now; I'm just plugging away with the composting, the hypermiling, and so forth. It's my own fault, though; let no one charge that the green movement is going lose steam in 2009. If local events are any indication, it's only gonna get frothier.

Need something to do this month? How about...

...going to the GreenMatters workshop next Wednesday, 6-7:30pm, at the Habitat Store, to learn all about catching and conserving water? It's not gonna conserve itself, people.

...SPARKing one up at the CCDC, which is doing a bunch of energy efficiency events this month: a gallery exhibit, with extended hours until 8pm on Friday; a workshop on energy-efficiency for apartment dwellers on January 14, 6-7:15pm; and various others for ye business types?

...driving your hybrid car up to Airlie in Warrenton for an all-day presentation this Friday, from 9am-5pm, on two farms up north that are notably sustainable and successful? Excuse me, but the event description includes these words: "Passive Solar Hoophouse Social with Micro-Greens and Draft Horse Demo," and that's just so freaking rad.

...cooking up your best Tofu Surprise for Monday night's meeting of Transition Blue Ridge? Whereas these folks usually get together to figure out what the hell we're all gonna do when the oil runs out, this particular meeting features a potluck and a film screening (The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil). Dig it. It's at the CCDC.

...riding your bike (natch) to the Bike Extravaganza (one more time, "at the CCDC"!) on January 16 from 6-9pm? The Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation will teach you how to take care of your two-wheeler, plus they'll be serving...wait for it...bike-blended smoothies. Oh yes.

...planning ahead for these gems in the late winter calendar: A beekeeping course through the Central Virginia Beekeepers Association, February 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 7-9pm. A March 14 mushroom-growing workshop at Sharondale Farm, including what they call "a bag of spawn" to start your own 'shroom garden. Or three days of fruit tree-growing info from Vintage Virginia Apples: February 14, 21 and 28. You'll learn planning, planting, pruning and grafting.

Anybody have an event to add? Post 'em up!