A tall pair of glasses containing green-colored water in the middle of a table signals that like-minded people have gathered to talk about green ideas at a popular Prescott watering hole.
It's not only a local idea to talk about environmental topics in a casual setting; Green Drinks International has networks in 465 cities across 47 countries.
Robert Israel, aka "Prescott's Green Realtor," started the local group in December. It meets at 4:30-6:30 p.m. every third Thursday at The Raven Café and bar in Prescott, corner of Willis and Cortez streets.
Israel has been publicizing the gatherings via e-mail and the Green Drinks international website at www.greendrinks.org.
His e-mails explain that Green Drinks offers "social and business Networking for anyone interested in environmental issues," featuring "Networking, fun, info, ideas, inspiration and drinks," although alcohol certainly is optional.
At a recent Prescott gathering, few of the people originally knew each other but they all left with some new ideas and leads.
"I came to this for the Networking," said Deborah Hindley, an exercise instructor who moved here about six months ago.
"The timing is perfect right now," added Steve Gillis, who works with Israel.
Industrial designer Joel Kucer showed up to share information about the Prescott Food Revolution (see PrescottFoodRevolution.org) and its efforts to get community gardens going. Participants already have set up one garden and will supply food for The Raven as well as a garden market, he said.
Kucer and others plan to try to eat a diet of only Arizona-grown foods. They already have tried out some wild plants such as pit-roasted agave, which ancient American Indians utilized as high-energy food.
Mark Dorsten said he wants to learn how to build a green home. Israel noted that a workshop on that very subject was approaching.
Israel mentioned he also helped start up a local Green to Gold Business Network that promotes green business practices. It now is a local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, with monthly speakers. See more information at greenprescott.org.
It was clear that the networking was working at this gathering.
The concept was born in Northern London in 1989, its website explains. The founder was talking with green design colleagues when he noted an enviro-minded acquaintance at a nearby table.
"As it turned out, the friend was sitting with a few of his own eco-conscious mates, so they pulled some tables together," the website explains. "And so a movement was born."
Other Green Drinks groups meet in Flagstaff, Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson.
"These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity," the website relates.
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