Going green

Several organizations are holding Earth Day celebrations in South Los Angeles on April 17.
The first event marks the fifth year California Greenworks, Inc. has held such an event in the community. The organization will hold a South L.A. Earth Day festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
The event, which begins with Native American Earth Healing ceremonies, is part of the nation’s 40th observation of Earth Day, and will feature a Healthy Lifestyles Pavilion; speakers talking about wellness; healthy food cooking demonstrations; screenings; and the Children Eco Artwork contest and storytelling.
There will be lectures on how to plant a garden in an urban space as well as forums on green jobs (at 11:30 a.m.), the Baldwin Hills Oil fields (10 a.m.), the Exposition Metrorail (11 a.m.) and how to green your business by Casey Walker at 12:30 p.m.
The Red Cross will also be on site collecting cash donations to help the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.
California Greenworks is a nonprofit organization based in Leimert Park created to improve the quality of urban life through programs and projects that advocate open space preservation, restoration of waterways and community beautification.
For additional information, contact the organization at (323) 298-5077 or californiagreenworks.org.
At the same time that California Greenworks is holding its event, the second annual Earth Day South LA takes place at Normandie Avenue Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The school is located at 4505 S. Raymond Ave. This celebration will feature more than 100 artists offering music, visual art, dance as well as workshops, food demonstrations, hip-hop poetry with open mic, a film festival, as well as information on composting and fruit tree planting.
Additionally, there will be craft vendors and opportunities to learn about yoga and capoiera. Local produce will also be available at the South Central Farmer’s booth.
The goal of Earth Day South L.A., which is sponsored by Community Services Unlimited, is to serve as a catalyst for residents to be agents of advancing sustainable change, improving the quality of their lives, and advancing a more just society.
Community Services Unlimited (CSU) is a nonprofit organization established in 1977 and headquartered in South Central Los Angeles. Since its creation, the group has established community programs and organized campaigns like Safe Seniors, the Free Medical Screening Program and From the Ground Up.