Staff Report. March 2, 2011. BOONE -- Sustainable development and "green" economic themes will again converge with social networking on March 8th, during the monthly Green Drinks Boone event, scheduled for 5:30 pm at "Crave" restaurant.

The March 8th meeting of Green Drinks Boone will be hosted by MountainKeepers and will focus on their efforts to advance sustainable development and support a green economy in the High Country. MountainKeepers is an alliance of individuals, groups and organizations that are committed to the safekeeping of the special character of our mountain communities and region, the preservation of our natural resources, unique heritage and culture, and an enhanced quality of life for all citizens.

The event will be held Tuesday evening March 8^th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at “Crave” located at 203 Boone Heights Drive across from the Wellness Center in Boone.

Green Drinks Boone is an informal social networking organization that hosts monthly events for anyone interested in “green” activities in the High Country. It’s a great way to catch up with local people involved in “green” services and make new “green” contacts. Green Drinks Boone is among 15 other North Carolina communities and 750 cities worldwide that host monthly gatherings of sustainably-minded people who meet to informally discuss green business, green services and green activities. The Boone network organization has been meeting since 2008.

Green Drinks Boone gatherings are free and open to the public.  Participants cover their own cost of beverages and light snacks are provided. The slogan of the International Green Drinks organization is “Saving the World One Sip at a Time.” Green Drinks offers a great way of catching up with people you know and making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along so the crowd is always different, making Green Drinks a fluid, self- organizing network. These events are simple and unstructured with a lot of positive benefits. Attendees have found jobs, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity.

The host of the evening, MountainKeepers, has been a champion for a number of initiatives and efforts that help area communities become more sustainable. The president of the organization, Patrick Beville, stated, “This will be an excellent opportunity for the green community to learn more about MountainKeepers and join their efforts to help educate citizens about the advantages of sustainability.” MountainKeepers has hosted a number of community meetings over the past decade and was recognized by Appalachian State University for their efforts in Community Sustainability at an Earth Day ceremony in 2006.

Green Drinks Boone will continue to meet on the second Tuesday of the month and they invite interested people to join them on FACEBOOK at Green Drinks Boone to receive future updates. Join the group on March 8th at “Crave” from 5:30 to 7:30 to learn more about MountainKeepers and just hang out with folks who enjoy doing what they can to make our world a better green place.

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