Asheville Green Drinks Celebrates its 500th Event on April 23

Conservatives, liberals, radicals and moderates have an opportunity to come together and listen to an expert’s point of view.

At 6pm EST April 23rd, 2014 Green Sage will be hosting the 500th Asheville Green Drinks event in the form of a party celebrating this community accomplishment located at 5 Broadway.

Often times we end-up learning as much from the audiences interactions and counter-points as the speakers. Its a perfect circle of learning and community discovery.” Part of that interaction relies on teaching young volunteers how to coordinate events, conduct media campaigns, use social media and websites. Mark Hebbard of Just Economics states, “We have relied on wonderful volunteers over the years who have left with some significant skills. We have a 6000 person email list and a growing number of followers on Facebook and Twitter. Our volunteers gain practical skills to help them promote social justice and ecological wisdom as they move on in their careers.”

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Malki has reflected on the meaning of this event and pondered its significance from his unusual point of view. “My parents were immigrants into the United States and I was born in Texas. I learned from my family the value and importance of democracy and cherishing our right to assemble and discuss the politics and science of our nation. Being a native Texan, I also have a penchant for boasting and thinking big. So, when I think what Asheville has achieved with this 500th milestone its really remarkable. Asheville is such a leading edge, bold and pioneering community and while we have a lot to boast about we do back it up with innovation and action. I think my parents would be proud of Asheville Green Drinks and the idea of a free education based event series. My father’s heritage is Suryoyo the Christian ethnic minority of Greater Syria. During the Ottoman genocide against Christians, my ancestors were terribly persecuted for their religion and culture. They were not allowed any of the rights we Americans often take for granted. My fondest wish is for conservatives and liberals in America to really relish just how wonderful it is to be free and to exercise a modicum of civility when confronting each other with logical arguments. I feel that Asheville Green Drinks honors a respectful spirit of public expression, scientific discovery and living dialogue. For me its what makes our democracy a vibrant and even sacred experience.”

Asheville, NC (828) 252-4450. Asheville Vice Mayor Marc Hunt will be presenting a Mayoral Proclamation for the day to be commemorated as Asheville Green Drink day. Both Malki and Hallock and their associates have a lot to be proud of. Hallock who is studying at Stanford University but beaming in via Skype for the party says, “Its been nine years since we first started. Most people would have dismissed Joseph’s idea for a weekly event series out of hand. But we had great friends and a great community to lean on. The Asheville Green Drinks series is proof that Asheville has what it takes to not just accomplish green initiatives, but to see them through for the duration. To me its the living proof of what sustainability means in practice – a diverse community committed to lifelong learning.”