March 28th is Earth Hour 2009! Celebrate in Atlanta, NYC, SF, Chicago, LA and More, in Style!

When the city lights dim this Saturday night, don’t think Nicolas Cage has finally succeeded in starting the ‘end of days’ with his seemingly endless stream of movies about the apocalypse. In fact, this blackout is much more entertaining!  On March 28th, 8:30pm your local time, the world will ring in its annual celebration of Earth Hour.  Cities and towns across the world will be switching off their non-essential lights for exactly one hour.  Why?  To promote awareness of climate change!

Created by the World Wildlife Fund in 2007, Earth Hour involves cities, towns, and municipalities across 82 countries. In 2008, an estimated 50 million participated in the event, bringing a four percentage point increase in awareness of environmental issues. And this year, over 2,140 communities are expected to participate.  Cynics may crow that it doesn’t really save much energy, but that’s not what the event is about.  It is about learning that yes, our world needs to treat climate change as a serious issue.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon urges everyone to participate.  “Earth Hour is a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear message. They want action on climate change,” said Secretary-General Ban during a recent press conference. Accordingly, the United Nations will be dimming lights in their New York City headquarters and across the world.

And it’s not just the U.N. that will be going dark.  Among others, world icons like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Las Vegas Strip, Paris’ Notre Dame, Stockholm Castle, the Gateway Arch of St. Louis, the National Cathedral of Washington, D.C., the Sydney Opera House, Table Mountain of South Africa, and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro will also be darkening in solidarity.  The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Acropolis of Greece have just been added to the list.  Across the U.S., cities like New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and more will be dimming their skylines.

So besides turning off your own lights, how can you participate in Earth Hour?  Sign up here to learn more for your specific location. Get your kids in on the action. Download the Earth Hour Trainer for your iPhone.

And check out our round-up of five major participating cities.

Los Angeles
Los Angeles will be dimming the Capitol Records Tower, the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel, El Capitan Theater, the Griffith Observatory and more.  A public celebration will be held at L.A. Live with notables like Kevin Bacon, Isabella Rossellini, the Los Angeles Kings, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  Local students and musicians will perform as part of the Life Drum Core from the HeArt Project.  Los Angeles schools will compete as to who can collect the most waste in that one hour.  And 60oneminutes.org will be taking one-minute movie submissions that highlight Earth Hour.

And best of all?  Los Angeles will Dine by Candlelight.  This is where participating restaurants will serve dinner by candlelight in honor of Earth Hour.  Supported by OpenTable.com, this is your chance to relax by candlelight over a tasty meal.  Participating restaurants include Simon LA
Chaya Venice, Ciudad, and the Border Grill.

Atlanta
Buildings set to darken in Atlanta include Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, George Power Headquarters, Bank of America Plaza, Concourse Office Park, The Pinnacle and more.  The Atlantic Hawks and Thrashers will also be supporting Earth Hour.  And make your way over to George Tech for a cool blackout party.

New York City
New York will be dimming landmarks like the Empire State Building, the CocaCola billboard in Time Square, 7 World Trade Center, and the New York Public Library.  Actor Ed Norton is New York’s ambassador to the project, along with Nobel Prize Laurite Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actress Janeane Garofalo, Alanis Moriessette, Coldplay, Wynonna Judd and more.

San Francisco
Structures that will be dimming their lights are the Golden Gate Bridge, Landmark Building, One Market, Golden Gateway Commons, Embarcadero Center West, Citicorp Center, Folger Building, and more.

And there are a ton of events going on. You can plant 60 trees in 60 minutes in the Presidio.  You can climb the Bank of America stairs for the American Lung Associate with Mayor Gavin Newsom and his Earth Hour Team.  You can take a walking tour with Garden for the Environment at 7th Avenue and Lawton Street.  Or you can clean up Japantown with the Department of Public Works.

Chicago
Last year, over 2.7 million Chicagoland residents dimmed their lights to honor Earth Hour.  This year, the city is working to beat that number.  Sears Tower, Hancock Center, North Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, Millennium Park, the Theater District and more will all go dark again this year.

Posted: March 27th, 2009 under Green Life.
Comments: none

By Christopher Peake
Green Right Now

It’s already mid-March and that means the snows will melt and if the ground’s not too saturated farmers will soon be planting seeds for the food that will feed us this year.

Since time immemorial farmer’s markets have been with us: farmers harvest, bakers bake, dairy farmers milk their cows and they all meet at a central location where there’s lots of foot traffic … and they sell. The common theme: the food is fresh.

In addition to the standard organic fruits, vegetables and eggs, farmer’s markets offer items you wouldn’t usually consider: hand-made brooms, herbs, bath and body care products, lobster rolls, wine, organic teas and “traditional handcrafted leather goods and repair”, rabbits, natural and dyed yarn and spinning supplies, photographs of local scenes, elk and moose meat, organic spice blends and increasingly, fresh fish.

1. It’s locally grown

Most but not all Farmer’s Markets in the US require vendors to have grown, produced or crafted what they sell at the market. Most vendors are small, one- or two-person operations and they grow only what they can manage. They grow what’s in season and it’s local. Ask the farmer if they grew what they’re selling, ask if it’s organic. Don’t buy until you’re satisfied with their answers.

2. You know the farmer personally

You know where the farm family lives; you’ve seen their farm, your children go to school with their children, you see each other at church or at Little League games or at a movie. You know the farmer and you trust him. He’s a neighbor.

3. It’s where the chefs and restaurateurs shop for fresh produce and baked goods

Patrick Soucy, chef at a Portsmouth, N.H. restaurant that specializes in New American cuisine, buys at the local farmer’s markets because of the “better health, better quality” of the food.

“And the produce defines ‘tree-ripened’. It’s fresh. ”

Raj, chef at an Indian restaurant in southern Maine, buys there “because it’s local, within a 20-mile radius. It didn’t come here from California. Also, I support the local community.”

4. Prices are often cheaper than supermarkets

… but not always. Organically-grown and the small-operation produce is very labor-intensive. Individually planted by hand, individually nurtured during the growing process and then individually harvested by hand obviously takes a tremendous amount of time. But the local farmer doesn’t have the tremendous labor, mortgage, transportation and other expenses of a supermarket, so cost comparisons show that all-in-all the farmer’s market sells food for less than a supermarket.

5. There’s less of a carbon footprint: field to farm

What about the bananas at a supermarket in America that come from El Salvador, the berries from Chile, and the kiwis from Australia … how can they possibly be their freshest when they were harvested so early in their growth process and they grew older on their journey? Local produce usually travels less than 10 miles from field to market. Take a bite from a store-bought peach and then take a bite from a locally-grown peach. As chef Patrick Soucy says, “I needed five napkins to wipe my mouth after biting the locally-grown peach”.

6. You have the opportunity to spend time with the farmer, asking questions like: “What’s this?”

Any farmer will take the time to explain what they sell. They don’t expect everyone to know everything about their produce, so ask about something new: ask how it’s grown, ask about a recipe. A farmer’s market vendor will let you sample a strawberry or a leaf of spinach or an Asian pear; they’ll have samples of maple ice cream and organic tea, fresh sausage and honey. Does your local supermarket do that for its customers?

7. You’re helping sustain the local economy

You might have seen the bumper sticker that says, “Support Local Farmers or Watch the Houses Grow”. Charlie Reid, a local organic grower, says he has lost about 10 different garden locations because builders have bought the land for houses. Farmers are just holding their own against developers but farmers hire locally when they need help. The money you spend at the market stays close to home and doesn’t go to another state or worse, to another country. You’re helping the local economy.

8. Enjoy beautiful displays

There’s a definite art to presenting your produce: the more attractive the display the more pleasing to the eye. Two women from a farm in coastal Maine display their vegetables so beautifully at the Portsmouth (NH) market that more than once I’ve heard customers say they didn’t want to mess up the rows. Farmers take special pride in how they present their produce … they’re showing you their life.

9. It inspires the gourmand in all of us

Mix-and-match: Picture yourself doing any (or all) of these on a warm summer day — buying fresh blueberries and mixing them with organic yogurt; warm breads with honey or jam or cheese; cold organic milk and warm cider donuts. You sit and eat, watching the people go by or you nibble as you stroll, looking for that next, “Oh wow, look at that fresh (fill-in-the-blank); I’d better get some of that, too.”

Here is some not-so-common produce you’ll find in Farmer’s Markets across the country: dewberries at the Austin, Texas farmer’s market; hazelnuts at the Portland, Ore., market; English toffee at the Los Angeles market; cider donuts at the Portsmouth market; bison at the Dane County (Madison, Wisc.) farmer’s market; freshwater prawns at the Lexington, Ky., Farmer’s Market. You can even buy sod at the Alabama Farmer’s Market in Birmingham. You want it? A Farmer’s Market is sure to have it, or tell you where to get it.

10. The best reason to shop at a farmer’s market:

It’s fun! You’ll have a wonderful time learning new things, meeting new people, tasting new foods. Some folks say it’s best to get there early because the displays are full while others say to go at the end because farmers want to take home as little as they can and they’ll give you a good discount. Both are true: When the market opens the pies are still warm and the variety of goods for sale is astounding; at the market’s close the farmer will sell a $12.50 pie for $10, a peck of Honey Crisp apples for half price or throw in a few cloves of organic garlic with the dozen organic eggs, provided there are pies, apples, garlic and eggs left to sell. My advice is get there as soon as the market opens; you won’t be rushed into buying what you don’t want. But beware, it all looks good, so take your time. If you buy too much the first time some will go to waste and then you won’t want to go back, and that would be a shame.

(Christopher Peake lives in Exeter, NH and was the Farmer’s Market Manager for a family farm orchard, the largest in the state. He now writes about the environment and can be contacted through his website, www.communicategreen.com.)

(Photo credits: greenrightnow.com; San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market; Los Angeles Farmers Market.)

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

Posted: March 26th, 2009 under Green Life.
Comments: none

Thanks for all of the help and support.  Austin has miraculously been returned to his owner as of 10/31/08.  Consider it a Halloween Miracle to say the least!

Dear friends, dog lovers, animal enthusiasts:

We are on an all out search for Austin.  Please see information and attachments in this email.  If you or anyone may know of his whereabouts, please contact as per below or call my cell (323) 395-4601. Missing as of Monday, 10/27 at about 7:00PM, Talking Stick Cafe, Lincoln and California, Venice, CA.

At this point, no one knows his whereabouts and no news on a rescue.  Austin could be anywhere.  We must fight to find this dog.  Your help is greatly appreciated!!!

Many thanks,

ALSO CHECK WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FLYNLION FOR UPDATES AND REPORTS AND THERE IS VIDEO AND PICTURES THERE.       THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS THIS IS VERY STRESSFULL .
PLEASE HELP !
“AUSTIN” THE  WORLD FAMOUS FLY N LION & VENICE BEACH ICON …. IS MISSING. from VENICE CA.  He went missing from THE TALKING STICK COFFEE LOUNGE    at Lincoln and California.   He is famous and well recognized. With his person Johnny Mitchell, together they are an act THE FLY N LION and have performed around the world.  Austin stands on Johnny’s arm as they skate and snowboard. They’ve made 1000’s of appearances internationally and here in the USA…..SUNDANCE…WINTER X GAMES ASPEN….2006 WINTER OLYMPICS IN TORINO…HBO COMEDY FEST ASPEN…VAIL FILM FEST….RED CARPETS GALORE… AND MUCH MORE AND  aslo as staple VENICE BEACH ICONS .
PLEASE HELP !    IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT THE TALKING STICK COFFEE LOUNGE  310 450 6052    OR EMAIL JOHNNYMITCHELL333@YAHOO.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FLYNLION

“AUSTIN”
Pomeranian
Male
5yrs
12 lbs
Blonde

Johnny Mitchell

johnnymitchell333@yahoo.com
2622 4th St. #12
Santa Monica, CA. 90405
310-428-4939

www.myspace.com/flynlion

Posted: October 28th, 2008 under Causes.
Comments: none

I learned of this organization lastnight at the Atmosphere(http://www.myspace.com/atmosphere) show here in Los Angeles at the Wiltern LG.  They are a non-profit organization that is bringing awarness through various media to the crisis in Uganda and the war and its impact on Children in the region.  To learn more about the organization please take a moment to educate yourself to this humanitarian situation by reading below and following the links.  All items sold go to support the children through various programs.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com

In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when these boys from Southern California discovered a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims.

After returning to the States, they created the documentary “Invisible Children: Rough Cut,” a film that exposes the tragic realities of northern Uganda.s night commuters and child soldiers.

The film was originally shown to friends and family, but has now been seen by millions of people. The overwhelming response has been, “How can I help?” To answer this question, the non-profit Invisible Children, Inc. was created, giving compassionate individuals an effective way to respond to the situation.

Who We Are

We are storytellers. We are visionaries, humanitarians, artists, and entrepreneurs. We are individuals part of a generation eager for change and willing to pursue it.

As a non-profit we work to transform apathy into activism. By documenting the lives of those living in regions of conflict and injustice, we hope to educate and inspire individuals in the Western world to use their unique voice for change. Our media creates an opportunity for people to become part of a grassroots movement that intelligently responds to what.s happening in the world.

But our work extends beyond our borders. In war-affected regions we focus on long-term development, working directly with individuals and institutions that are eager to realize their full potential. Through education and innovative economic opportunities, we partner with affected communities and strive to improve the quality of life for individuals living in conflict and post-conflict regions.

How We Make a Difference

Our approach to humanitarian work is founded in the strength and intelligence of the Ugandan community. We learned early on it was not only important but essential to heed the wisdom of people that had not only lived in the war, but were surviving it. People who would know better than anyone what the greatest needs were and the best ways to meet them. What we came to find is that while there have been many efforts to address the issues that stem from living and fighting in such a long-lasting war, the people of Uganda are asking for a future beyond the conflict.

Their pleas have become our development strategy.

All of our programming is a partnership between those of us at Invisible Children and those in the Ugandan community. We focus on long-term goals that enable children to take responsibility for their future and the future of their country. Our programs are carefully researched and developed initiatives that address the need for quality education, mentorships, the redevelopment of schools, resettlement from the camps, and financial stability.

DONATE HERE!

 http://www.invisiblechildren.com

Posted: September 26th, 2008 under Causes.
Comments: none

Take a look at a cause that is not highly publicized. Props to our friend Carrie for reaching out to this issue.  Read her message below and all donations are encouraged.

Hello friends,

As you know, I love animals. That’s why I’m asking you to join me in a critical effort to help reduce the suffering of 20 million — that’s right, 20 million — farm animals.

Basically, on Election Day in November, people in California will have the chance to vote on a commonsense measure that will help animals suffering inside factory farms. These animals are crammed into cages and crates so small that they can’t even turn around, lie down, or stretch their limbs. Proposition 2 will give them these basic freedoms.

If passed, Prop 2 is expected to have a huge impact on reforming factory farming practices nationwide — which is why you don’t need to live in California to help. It’s also why the agribusiness industry is spending millions to fight this reasonable reform, making it critical that animal protection advocates raise money needed to reach voters.

So…today I’m asking you to join me in reaching my goal of having 20 friends donate $20, $15, $10, $5 each to help 20 million animals. Will you join me, and help me reach my goal?

This is a very important cause to me, so thank you — from me, and the animals! Please click on this link if you’re able to make a gift today and help me reach my goal:

http://my.yesonprop2.com/page/outreach/view/20-20/Carrie

Posted: September 17th, 2008 under Causes.
Comments: none

Hybrid Roots is proud to announce that we have completed and launched the website for Rockstar Fit (www.rockstarfit.com).  All site construction and design was completed by Hybrid Roots including an extensive identity and branding campaign.  Contact Hybrid Roots(www.hybridroots.com) today for a free consultation for your next web or design project.

Posted: September 14th, 2008 under Web Design.
Comments: none

The Closet is Santa Barbara’s Hippest Resale Boutique.

We specialize in contemporary luxury apparel for all you fashion-savvy girls. We hook you up with low prices and high-end service!

Love designer clothes but don’t love retail prices? Come here first for all your favorite brands like Paige Premium Denim, Free People, Chanel, Frankie B, L.A.M.B., Marc Jacobs and so much more, always at a fraction of retail prices.

Also, we buy your clothes for cash or trade at these times:
wed, fri, and sat 1pm-6pm every week

Facebook message us for details, or call us everyday 11am-6pm at (805)963-8083.

The Closet’s Anniversary Sale is coming up on September 19th, 20th, and 21st! This is our only sale of the year so we go all out!!! Get there early for designer denim up to 90% off, Juicy as low as $5, and prices slashed throughout the store. Extended hours 11a to 8pm all three days.

Got stuff to sell? Bring us your clean, lightly worn, current-style clothes, shoes, and accessories every wed, fri, and sat 1pm-6pm and we can buy it for cash or trade!

What are we looking to buy?
Currently we are buying for fall/winter, so lots of high-waisted skirts, skinny and wide leg designer jeans, slouchy beanies, cute trendy coats, riding boots, and leather bags. Must be in great condition, clean, and current.

http://www.theclosetsb.net

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10819388892

1213 State Street Ste. L (behind McDonalds, across from the Granada Theater)

Santa Barbara, CA

Thousand Oaks, CA store coming soon….Stay Tuned!

Posted: September 12th, 2008 under Green Life.
Comments: none

Check our recent mention by the folks at  “We Earth”

For Immediate Release

WeEarth’s Marketplace Swings Open Its Green Doors
WeEarth Launches It’s Enviro-friendly E-commerce Store

LOS ANGELES, CA (September , 2008) – WeEarth.com, a web portal uniting artists and activists (www.weearth.com), has opened its online store.   On September 10, 2008, WeEarth launched its online Marketplace (www.marketplace.weeath.com), a venue for environmentally and socially responsible products providing the community a one-stop shop to participate in sustainable solutions.   Products offered range from clothing to health and beauty, handmade jewelry, pet toys, hemp accessories and even books to green living.

The WeEarth Marketplace encourages responsible living; thus, the website was developed to host organic, natural, biodegradable, and fair trade products, as well as hand-made goods. Its goal is to promote not only the use of these products, but also to give an outlet to smaller vendors and artists who do not have the means to sell or expose their own products/art.

“One of our highest priorities is providing our community with an easy path to responsible shopping.  Whether it’s organic, vegan, fair trade, or independently produced, it can be found in our e-store. We’re really excited to finally get it up and running and look forward to helping the world move closer to an economic system that places social justice and environmental responsibility before profit,” expressed Patrick Sellers, President of WeEarth.

Initial companies that WeEarth has partnered with for the launch are Dr. Bronners, Hempy’s, Earth Creations, Earth Dog, Autonomie Project, Under the Nile, AM Conservation, Siege Chemical, Butterfly Creations, Hybrid Roots, Fair Trade Sports, and Shikai.

Specific products include:
The Better World Shopping Guide – book by Ellis Jones on being a conscious consumer,
Autonomie Footware – 100% vegan, organic, eco-friendly, and Fair Trade sneakers,
Earth Dog Hemp Collar –  not only organic, but increases comfort for man’s best friend,
Shikai Natural Lotions – natural blend of aloe vera, wheatgerm and vitamin E,
Hybrid Roots Yoga Mat Bags – 100% hemp material, supporting Fair Labor/Fair Wage, Fair Trade Sports Soccer Ball – eco-certified, fair trade, union-made and vegan, and
Under the Nile Organic Diapers – made from 100% organic Egyptian Cotton.

Over the next couple of weeks, WeEarth Marketplace is hitting the road and can be found at Ranchita Rocks (just outside of San Diego), San Diego Street Scene, and We The People in Los Angeles.

WeEarth is an organization that empowers and inspires its community to learn, grow, connect and create through a network of resources both online at www.wearth.com and offline at events such as music and arts festivals.  The website consists of four facets: Voices- an E-zine publishing articles on topics ranging from ancient art and modern technology to current social and political issues; Village- a social network creating the hub for users to connect with each other to share ideas and art; Marketplace- a store where eco-friendly products can be purchased allowing people can contribute to a sustainable economy; and in months to come Studio- a portal for viewing and downloading media content.

Contact Info
Jessica Kelly
VP, Marketing and PR
Office: 818.255.9900
Mobile: 310.990.0947
Email: jessk@weearth.com

Posted: September 11th, 2008 under Green Life.
Comments: none

Our Friends at We Earth Village (www.weearth.com) will be attending this years Ranchita Rocks Festival this weekend in San Diego and will be bringing along goods from our online store to showcase and sell to attendies.  Our products are 100% sustainable and are made from natural materials including Hemp and Organic Cotton.  Drop by their booth at the venue and check out the goods and learn about the We Earth online community.

Make a difference, make a small change today for a brighter tomorrow. Here is what We Earth has to say about the festival.

Ranchita Rocks is a music festival taking place on September 12th, 13th, and 14th in San Diego’s wondrous back country landscape.  It is this same landscape the nonprofit organization putting it together are trying to protect.  100% of the proceeds are to help fight a proposed 150 mile long transmission line that would cut through Anza Borrego Desert State Park, while at the same time help San Diego County achieve a long-term goal of utilizing renewable and clean energy.

A slew of jam oriented bands will headline the festival, including Yonder Mountain String Band, Bass Nectar, Melvin Seals & JGB, as well as a variety of electronic acts and DJs.  Also scattered throughout the three days will be a number of comedians, aerial performers, beer and wine vendors, kids activities, and camping opportunities.  Basically the fun starts at noon on Friday and doesn’t stop until the final band exits the stage on Sunday.

Ranchita Rocks serves as the perfect reminder that fun and community service need no lines of separation.  Hosting such a festival in the open beauty of the desert reminds attendees that such places can be taken away from them permanently if they don’t create the demand to keep them free–free of energy plants that produce heaping amounts of carbon dioxide in particular.  This year’s event will emphasize the need for cleaner energy by utilizing biodiesel and wind and solar technologies to power the festivities.

“We strongly believe that energy does not have to be imported over dangerous high voltage transmission lines and that renewable energy should be produced locally for local consumption,” said Carolyn Morrow, who solicited nearly $60,000 in donations of cash and services to stage last year’s feat.

To obtain tickets and learn more about the event, check the official website.

http://www.ranchitarocks.org/

http://www.weearth.com/ourvoice/

http://www.weearth.com/hybridroots

Posted: September 9th, 2008 under Green Goods.
Comments: none

If you are in San Francisco this weekend check out the festival and stay and listen to music by our friends Rebelution and visit the “We Earth” booth in the “Green-ing Section” and shop the latest Hybrid Roots sustainable fashions.

POWER TO THE PEACEFUL MISSION STATEMENT
MUSIC. CONSCIOUSNESS. ACTION.

Power to the Peaceful is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural co-existence, non-violence and environmental sustainability through the arts and music.

By bringing people together through music and art it is our goal to highlight the similarities and celebrate the diversity of all of the world’s inhabitants.

Through our many International concerts, social forums, film festivals and fundraising efforts, we invite people of all ethnicities and faiths to strive for Personal Peace, Community Cooperation, International Co-existence and Environmental Sustainability.

We work closely with grassroots organizations, businesses and other non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) to put on events that raise consciousness about the needs of the world today and inspire action that addresses those needs.

We strive to make each of our events more energy efficient than the last by constantly finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint as well as highlighting new energy efficient technologies.

http://www.powertothepeaceful.org/index.php

http://www.weearth.com/

http://www.rebelutionmusic.com/

http://www.myspace.com/rebelution

Posted: September 5th, 2008 under Green Life.
Comments: none