These early November weekends are perfect times to get out and play -- the hectic summer is past, the tourists are scarce, the demanding holidays are not yet upon us, and if we are lucky, we can find free time to spend as we please!

Tonight, all are welcome to join the folks of Green Drinks Newport at 22 Bowen's, on Bowen's Wharf in Newport, from 5:30 to 8. Mix and mingle, meet your neighbors from across the street or across the state.

On Saturday, RI Resource Recovery Corp. will accept all of your plastic junk for recycling, even stuff that's not generally picked up. The hitch is that you have to bring it to the Landfill in Johnston. But while you're there, you can shred bunches of your personal documents, and pick up a compost bin at discount. Click here for the details.

Or you can check out the new Africa exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo, where the giraffes and elephants have more room to roam. Check out this Projo story for the news and a review, and go to the Zoo Web site for visitor info.

Monday night, you can check out the documentary film, Flow, followed by a discussion about Rhode Island's own water situation, with a panel of local experts, at Bryant College in Smithfield. Click here for more info. And a forum about water for South County and the state is coming up next Wednesday at the URI Bay Campus, click here for info.

You can find lots more events listed, from kids' activities to book groups to garden workshops to guided hikes, at NNN's Community Calendar.

Another great source of weekend ideas we've come to enjoy is the "10 Things to Do" newsletter from Providence Business News. You'll find art events and fundraisers, along with the occasional outdoor or greenish listing. It's free, and well worth it! Click here to go sign up.

And don't forget Save The Bay's Bay Bash, coming up Saturday November 15!