A happy and enthusiastic crowd braved the rain Tuesday to drive down to Galesville to have fun and learn something new... about biking and boating.
We had hoped to enjoy the great Dock Bar but Mother Nature didn't cooperate. But it was almost like being outside with the window wall of great views of the Marina and the West River beyond.
Our host, Pirate's Cove, treated us like royalty with a terrific spread of appetizers, displayed and passed. They were absolutely delicious and highlighted the restaurant's farm to table initiatives.
Pirate's Cove is now owned by the
Irish Restaurant Company who also owns Galway Bay Irish Pub, Brian Boru, and Killarney House. The fare is still south county seafood-oriented, but with the added skill, flare and sustainability ethic of the company's chefs.
Our event sponsor was
WGL Energy, a leader in efficient and environmentally friendly energy technology solutions for residential, government, commercial and industrial customers. Have a look at the company's website to see if this is the best energy provider for you. WGL representatives Dorothy Day and Karen McDuffey answered questions and will likely sign up many Green Drinkers for competitively priced renewable energy. WGL Energy also partners with Solar City for a complete package of available renewable energy alternatives for residences.
Our event theme was Biking and Boating Around the Bay.
We'd like to thank Capt. Paul Foer for donating a two-hour cruise on his sailboat, the S/V Non Sea Quitter for our raffle. It was won by Brad Leahy.
Read more about Capt. Paul's sailboat charter business on the West River.
We had representatives from the bicycling community with us including Lisa Lunt, representing
BikeAAA, and Marita Roos, representing the
Anne Arundel Bicycle Advisory Commission, who discussed bicycling as a great and Green way to explore
Chesapeake Country. May is National Bike Month. BikeAAA and the Commission have been pressing for a safe, interconnected network of bike routes including trails, on-road, and protected lanes.
Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) has activities planned in our area during National Bike Month and throughout the year. You can join in at any skill level and have a good time while improving your health. Check our our website for a handy guide to make sure you are wearing your bike helmet properly.
And did you know that the
Race Across America will finish in Annapolis next month, with bicyclists coming into City Dock between June 21 and 27. For 35 years the Race Across America has been challenging ultracyclists from around the globe to push their physical and mental limits. Starting in Oceanside, under one of the longest piers in California, the race spans 3000 miles, climbs 175,000 feet, crosses 12 states and finishes in Annapolis. Lisa Lunt completed the race in 2015 with team "Bike Like a Girl."
Read more.
On the clean boating front, check out these this handy guide to how to operate your boat in a way that won't damage our streams, rivers, Bay and oceans. Just click here for some great ideas from the BoatUS Foundation.
We had a number of exhibitors at Green Drinks:
Solar City - Our inaugural sponsors for the 2016 Green REF season. Visit our Solar City page for info on how you can put renewable energy on your rooftop.
True Organic Lawn & Pest Control presented by Blades of Green - A firm that presents a greener approach to traditional lawn care and pest control, specializing in organic mosquito and tick control, pest control and lawn care. Blades of Green is one of the Watershed Stewards Academy's certified Clean Lawn Care companies.
Herrington Harbour Marinas - A south county landmark, Herrington North and South demonstrate that a beautiful marina can be run with the health of the Bay and its wildlife at the forefront.
West/Rhode Riverkeeper - The actual Riverkeeper, Jeff Holland, was in the hospital recuperating from a knee replacement (he's home doing fine now), but his staff and volunteers did a great job telling us about the wonderful work they do for these tributaries. For example, the living shoreline right next to Pirate's Cove was one of the West/Rhode Riverkeeper program's projects. 
