Green Alliance, Green Drinks Draw Record Crowd

On a night when an unexpected and heavy snow drove many to stay indoors, Green Alliance members established and prospective alike, in conjunction with Green Drinks, managed to turn the Lapanza Lounge of usual host Portsmouth Brewery into the biggest, best, and greenest party in town -- and the most flagrant fire code violation, no doubt.


With well over 100 greenies crammed into the 60-capacity basement abode of Alliance-member Brewery for this unprecedentedly well-attended event, Director Sarah Brown and Co. conducted a four-hour "Know Your Local Green Economy" round-robin, inviting both established members and potential allies alike to share in what Brown termed a kind of "green speed-dating" night. But with sweets provided by Beach Pea Bakery in Kittery providing the sugar rush, and the always-hearty libations served by the Brewery's top-notch barkeeps greasing the conversational wheels, the gathering soon morphed into a one-at-a-time sounding board, with business owner's and representatives from around the Seacoast taking turns giving short intros highlighting their causes, crafts, and, of course, customers.


For GA Director Brown, the turnout -- both the quantity and the quality -- couldn't have been better. " It's incredibly inspiring to see exactly how many people were interested," said Brown. "What was really unexpected for me was the sheer number of businesses that came -- not just GA business members, but a huge amount of other green business owners, or even the regular business owners who want to become green. It was really a testament to the strength of the appeal of green businesses going forward."

While all present enjoyed free food, drink, and good feelings, one lucky attendee in particular -- Michelle Daly -- walked away with a free year-long Green Alliance Co-Op membership.

All in all the night was a huge success, with a turnout and level of enthusiasm that, hopefully, signals a spring steeped in new members, new energy, and new possibilities, both for the Green Alliance as well as the entire Seacoast community.