Earth Day Celebrations in Santa Monica: Making the Rounds

On Apr. 22, 1970, millions of Americans took part in the first-ever Earth Day, prompting the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of landmark legislation including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

This year's Earth Day falls on Friday, but here in Santa Monica, celebrations got under way with the aquarium's over the weekend.

While the annual Earth Day on the Promenade event has been canceled this year, there will still be plenty of eco-friendly activities happening throughout the week in Santa Monica. Here's a handy guide:

• CELEBRATES EARTH WEEK

The college will kick off its weeklong series of events on Tuesday at 11:15 a.m., when Antioch University environmental professor Richard Kahn gives a at the Theatre Arts Main Stage. He's planning to speak about the growing number of catastrophic ecological and social crises happening across the globe.

Later on the same day, at 2 p.m., the EcoHero Awards ceremony will be held. SMC Facilities Planning Director Greg Brown and English professor Dana Morgan will receive “EcoHeroes” honors for contributing to the school's organic learning garden.

On Wednesday, Scott Hamilton Kennedy—the director and producer of The Garden—will participate in a Q&A after a screening of the 2008 Oscar-nominated documentary. The event will take place at 2:15 p.m. in Humanities & Social Science Lecture Hall 165.

At 4:30 p.m. on the same day, there will be a groundbreaking and American Indian ground-blessing for the college's organic learning garden, which is located between the bookstore and the Art Complex. The garden is due to be planted by the end of the month.

On Thursday, the Earth Day Festival & Teach-In will happen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, to be held at The Quad, will include "eco-themed music and art, vegan food and an eco-friendly digital photo booth," the college said.

Finally, on Friday at 12:30 p.m., the college will pitch in for 's .

• EARTH DAY RALLY AGAINST LEADED FUEL USE AT SMO

From 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, protesters will try to increase awareness about the dangers of leaded gasoline being used by propeller planes at . The action, sponsored by the Venice Neighborhood Council's Santa Monica Airport Committee, will take place at Bundy Drive and Airport Avenue, at the east end of the airport.

"We are focusing on this issue for Earth Day because lead is a cumulative toxin," organizer Mindy Taylor-Ross told Santa Monica Patch. "Lead has been banned in automobiles and paints for years, yet it is required and tolerated in prop planes. Lead is especially harmful to children."

• CELEBATE THE EARTH WITH CELP

Children will get a chance to learn more about the environment through eco-paper-making, worm-composting and activities at the on Friday. Intended for kids in kindergarten through the fifth grade, the event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Children's Activity Room. It's presented by the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program and sponsored by the .

• COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF DISCOUNT

On Friday, customers who bring in their own mugs will get 10 cents off the purchase of a beverage. The shops—which are located on the , , ,  and Ocean Park Boulevard—are also selling their own environmentally friendly tumblers.

Related coverage: