Sustainabilities818 . 747 . 661 . 805

Radon in the Valley

2010-09-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote an article for the new ChatsworthPatch website about the potential dangers of radon in Chatsworth.
What I learned was astounding. First, that radon is a very commonly-occurring substance throughout the United States. Second, that radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America. (Smoking is the first). Third, that throughout the San Fernando Valley radon levels considered unsafe by the EPA have been documented in LOTS of residences.
The statistics come from a California Dept. of Public Health database that is available to all. It lists the results of tests done on residences by zip code. There is no information on specific addresses or actual radon levels -- it just shows how many tests have been reported in a zip code and how many were at or above the unsafe level of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter.)
I work in Chatsworth (16%) live in Northridge (30%), and have relatives living in Granada Hills (16%) and Woodland Hills (32%), so I immediately ordered test kits for home and office and relatives from the Dr. Home Air website as mentioned in the article. It took about a week for the kits to arrive.
The test kit directions state that your home test should be done with all the doors and windows closed. This is not a condition that is normal for my home most of the year -- but it just happened that 100 degree-plus temperatures conspired to keep the a/c running and all doors and windows closed. (There were no directions about air conditioning.)
The test was easy -- take the little plastic container filled with activated charcoal out of a poly bag and set it on a surface off of the floor in a living space inside the house.
We set the kit out on top of the piano in the living room on Friday and on Monday morning popped it into its little bag and sent it off to the lab for analysis. (The cost of analysis is included in the $5 test kit fee -- a bargain.) Today we received the results by e-mail, which we had requested.
They were NOT good. Our home showed a level of 4.2 pCi/L. While you might say that's just a fraction over the line of safe/unsafe, you might want to know that the World Health Organization recently lowered what it considers a "safe" level to 2.7 percent. Which means our home is definitely in the red zone.
The next step will be to run another test (I got an extra kit just in case) and see what the results from that are. If we get two "bad" tests, then we'll have to call in the pros to decide what our next step is.
Most likely, we'll install a radon mitigation system. In my view, you can't be too careful with a toxin in your home that, if left untreated, means me and my family would have the same chance of dying of lung cancer as we would of dying in a car crash. For more crazy statistics like this, and more info on radon, check out the very informative and easy to navigate EPA Radon website.
If you live in the Valley and you haven't ordered your test kit yet, do it. Or make sure you have really good health insurance.

Native Plant Sale & Free Garden Talks

2010-09-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

The hubby and I have decided to kill the lawn and create a drought-tolerant landscape in our front yard. That darned Bermuda grass just doesn't want to go away! No water for nearly 9 months and there's still green sprouts (but not enough to leave it.
So I was very excited to learn about the Native Plant Sale this weekend. The extremely knowledgeable volunteers from the California Native Plant Society will be selling seeds, shrubs, irises, mints, sages, berries and more plus books, posters, and other paraphernalia on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3.
The event takes place at the Sepulveda Garden Center at 16633 Magnolia Blvd. in Encino, just west of Hayvenhurst.
On Saturday, at 1pm, noted landscape architect Bob Perry will discuss his latest book, Landscape Plants for California Gardens. Of course copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
Then at noon on Sunday, Emily Green, who writes the "Dry Garden" column for the LA Times, will talk about the 10-year evolution of a native garden.
If you haven't visited yet, the Sepulveda Garden Center is made up of community garden plots and touring through that is worth the trip in and of itself.
Later in the month the Theodore Payne Foundation will be hosting its own sale so if you don't find what you're looking for this weekend, there's a fallback!

Chatsworth Solar Manufacturer Pitches the Mayor

2010-08-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

Great story in the Daily News about Chatsworth-based International Solar Electric Technology meeting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday.
ISET president Vijay Kapur reportedly asked the mayor for assistance in getting a Dept. of Energy loan guarantee. It certainly seems like a reasonable request, especially considering the company would generate 250 new manufacturing jobs.

Solar Powered Microturbine Test is Successful

2010-08-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

Chatsworth-based Capstone Turbine Corporation recently announced that they have been successful in converting sunlight to electricity with a solar receiver driving a microturbine.

They did so with a product developed by HelioFocus, an Israeli company. The two companies are working together to develop a microturbine engine that can use solar power.

The HelioFocus Solar Concentrator focuses enough sunlight energy to provide heat to drive the microturbine.

Company executives maintain that this new system is more efficient and requires less space than traditional photovoltaic systems.

"The commercial Concentrated Solar Power product should compare favorably in cost to photovoltaic," said Mark Gilbreth, Capstone's chief technology officer.

Food Justice with Patt Morrison - Town Hall Event

2010-06-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Local public radio station KPCC will be hosting a special Town Hall event with Patt Morrison on July 15 with a mouthful of a title: Navigating L.A.’s Food Deserts: How to Ensure Equal Access to Healthy Food & Fresh Produce.

The event takes place Thursday, July 15, in Pasadena at the Crawford Family Forum and Mohn Broadcast Center. A press release said that Morrison ..."will spend an hour with those on the front lines of food justice to explore L.A.'s food deserts and the efforts to attract more grocery stores, farmers' markets and community gardens into these underserved, and often forgotten, communities."

There's no charge to attend but reservations are required. To learn more about this event, or to RSVP, visit scpr.org/forum.

Photo Credit: David McNew, Getty Images

Environmental Curriculum Approved Statewide

2010-06-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Cal/EPA announced today that the California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum was approved for use in K-12 classrooms statewide. The State Board of Education voted for it unanimously.

“Students of all grade levels love learning about the environment around them,” said Linda Adams, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “With the approval of the State Board of Education, the EEI Curriculum takes important science and history-social science academic standards that every student needs to understand and uses the environment to teach those standards to mastery. Along the way, the EEI makes learning relevant and fun, and we’re pleased that this new curriculum will be an in-depth resource for California educators statewide.”

Visit www.CaliforniaEEI.org to see all of the 85 EEI Curriculum units. Many are still in their “final draft” version, but final versions are being posted weekly. By Fall of 2010, the entire curriculum will be available for download free of charge.

Amgen Tour Finale in the Conejo Valley

2010-05-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but a major sporting event is going to have its grand finale' in Thousand Oaks this weekend.

That's right, professional cyclists on the Amgen Tour of California will cross the finish line on Westlake Boulevard near the Hyatt on Sunday (May 23).Even if you're not a cycling enthusiast, don't miss this opportunity to watch the best of the best zoom past as they take on a tough mountain course.

Eateries in the Oaks Shopping Center will be opening early to accommodate spectators and other activities are planning throughout the weekend. Click here for details.

The King of Cycling, Lance Armstrong is out of the race after taking a tumble and requiring stitches on Thursday but chances are excellent he'll make some kind of appearance.

Sunday Food Harvest Volunteers Needed

2010-04-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend, May 1^st and 2^nd Food Forward will participate in Big Sunday with its Big Pick event.

Help harvest fruit trees in neighborhoods in the North San Fernando Valley to feed the hungry. There are multiple trees on multiple properties just ready to be harvested! EXTRA trees have come through so we need EXTRA help!

Volunteers are needed on Saturday, May 1 from 9am to noon in Granada Hills, and on Sunday from 9am to noon in Northridge. Please RSVP to marie@foodforward.org if you are free to help out! Let her know which day/location you will report to.

In addition to getting the warm and fuzzies, you'll also be eligible for donuts and coffee both days plus FREE Big Sunday t-shirts for all who help!

Read more about the massive amount of fresh fruits and veggies being offered to L.A. area food banks by Food Forward in this Los Angeles Times article.

Vote for Environmental High by Thursday

2010-04-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

The students at Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale are asking for YOUR vote in Obama's Commencement Challenge.

You must vote by Thursday evening for your vote to count.

Environmental Charter is a college prep charter school in South Los Angeles. Of the five finalists in the Commencement Challenge it is the only West Coast school, and it is the only institution that focuses on sustainability in its curriculum.

Give the kids at high 5 by voting NOW at http://www.whitehouse.gov/commencement.

Whole Child Whole Planet Earth Day Extravaganza

2010-04-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

I spent a couple of hours this evening helping Kathy Arnos and her gang of volunteers set up for the Whole Child, Whole Planet Expo taking place on Saturday from 9:30a.m. to 6 p.m. The venue is truly beautiful -- the Highland Hall Waldorf School in Northridge feels more like a summer camp than a primary school campus.

Beautiful venue, free admission, free childcare, workshops, lots of freebies and great giveaways, music and entertainment, kids crafts -- I can't imagine a better way to spend the day which promises to feature our best weather all week.

Earth Day Water Expo at Balboa Park

2010-04-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited about the Earth Day Water Expo happening Thursday, April 22, at Balboa Park.

For one thing, it starts at 6 p.m. so those of us who work all day can still celebrate Earth Day.

For another, they are going to have a whole mess o' vendors there with water-saving devices, landscaping tips, plant consultations, and the like.

DWP reps will be there too and I'm very interested in learning more about the so-called "Cash for Grass" program. (Think front lawns, not 4/20 folks). It's also referred to as the SoCal Water Smart program or the LADWP/MWD Residential Water Conservation Rebate Program.

The Expo is free and with more than 20 valuable raffle prizes you could actually end up in the plus column. Of course you'll for sure at least learn one useful thing you can take home regardless.

Do Earth Day right and take the Orange Line to avoid parking hassles or ride your bike (make sure your lights are charged up). The Sports Center building is on the Burbank end of the park on the West side of Balboa.

Stop Phone Books Before They Are Delivered

2010-03-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

After just receiving pounds of phone books delivered to my home and office -- phone books that will never be used -- I was pleased to receive this electronic news from Smart 2 Be Green, about how to stop them from coming in the first place.

Visit YellowPagesGoesGreen and Paperless Petition.

In the meantime, phone books can be recycled with all your other paper recycling. Or you can reuse them as these enterprising college men did, courtesy of College Humor.com.

Go Green Expo This Weekend

2010-01-21T15:42:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to the Go Green Expo this weekend. Last year's event had something for everyone -- families, homeowners, renters, pet lovers, hard-core greenies and people just getting informed. I've been informed that Made in the Valley will have a number of its member companies exhibiting including spa treatments by Bee Gorgeous Organics, organic coffee tasting by Aha Chocolate and pastries from Divine Delights.

There's a whole raft of workshops, yoga sessions, a drum circle, film screenings and seminars. Also, for some reason, there are a lot of events about pets including a pet rescue hosted by Linda Blair. Check the schedule here.

Tickets are $10 for adults which covers both Saturday and Sunday. Kids under 12 are free, seniors and students with valid IDs get in for just $5. The event is at the Los Angeles Convention Center so you can take the Metro. If you drive down, expect to pay at least $12 to park. Saturday the hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday it's 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (But from past experience, some vendors start packing up around 3 p.m. on Sunday so don't wait until the last minute.

The Dreaded Affluenza Virus

2009-11-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

Influenza dominates the news these days, but you're much more likely to be afflicted with affluenza this time of year.

That's right, affluenza -- a mental health disease that is known to affect mental processing and logic functions. It is particularly strong in the Northern Hemisphere between November 24 and December 25.

To find out if you are in danger, take the Affluenza Risk Assessment by answering True or False to the following questions:

1. I'm willing to pay more for a t-shirt if it has a cool corporate logo on it.
2. I believe that if I buy the cocktail dress, the cocktail party will come.
3. I have a shoe collection Imelda Marcos would envy.
4. When I'm cold, I take my clothes off and turn up the heat.
5. I'm willing to work 40 years at a job I hate so I can buy lots of stuff.
6. When I'm feeling blue, I like to go shopping and treat myself.
7. I want an SUV although I rarely drive in conditions that warrant one.
8. I usually make just the minimum payment on my credit cards.
9. I believe that whoever dies with the most toys wins.
10. Most of the things my friends/family and I enjoy doing together are free.
11. I don't measure my self-worth (or that of others) by what I own.
12. I know how to pinch a dollar until it screams.
13. I worry about the effects of advertising on children.
14. To get to work, I carpool, ride my bike or use public transportation.
15. I'd rather be shopping right now.

For questions 1-9 and 15, give yourself 2 points for true and 1 point for false.
For questions 10-14, give yourself 0 points for true and 2 points for false.

If you scored:
10-15 No dangerous signs of Affluenza at this time.
16-22 Warning: You have mild Affluenza.
23-30 Cut up your credit cards and call a mental health professional (or your mother).

There are a number of vaccines available, both of which require nothing more than spending between 20 and 60 minutes in front of your computer, which you're obviously doing anyway. I recommend starting off slowly, with the 20-minute Story of Stuff video. Suitable for all ages, the Story of Stuff traces the path of consumer products and its effects on our physical environment and our mental health. You should watch it just because Glenn Beck says you shouldn't.

For a booster shot, move on to the 60-minute PBS special entitled Affluenza. (To do so you'll need to either purchase the video from Bullfrog Films or download the free VEOH web player which takes just a minute or two.)

Another NC Votes For Bike Lanes

2009-10-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Glenn Bailey, chair of the City of LA Bicycle Advisory Committee reported via e-mail that the Reseda Neighborhood Council has added its YAY (or yea, if you wanna get technical) vote for more bike lanes in the Valley. Following is the full text of his email.

"In response to the recent Reseda Boulevard peak hour motor vehicle lanes versus bicycle lanes controversy, the Reseda Neighborhood Council board voted overwhelmingly Monday night to support the installation of bicycle lanes on Reseda Boulevard "where feasible."

According to a map presented by the Department of Transportation's Paul Meshkin, there is currently adequate width on Reseda Boulevard between Valerio Street on the south and Chase Street on the north, a distance of approximately one mile, to allow for such lanes.

The remaining stretch in Reseda between Vanowen and Valerio streets is too narrow to allow for bicycle lanes without the removal of parking or traffic lanes but will be studied for bicycle route designation (signage only), Meshkin said."

Make YOUR voice heard by reviewing AND COMMENTING ON the draft bike plan before Nov. 6.

Eco- and Wallet-Friendly Shoes

2009-10-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Just saw an article in the Daily Sundial (the Cal State Northridge daily newspaper)about a line of eco-friendly shoes introduced by Payless Shoesource in April. They're cute, cheap, and use organic, natural and recycled materials (mostly). Check them out!

2009-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Newsweek recently came out with a list of what it called The Greenest Big Companies in America. It's incredibly disappointing -- they really should have stopped at the top 25.

The 65th Greenest Company in America, Medtronics, lives right here in Northridge. Here's what Newsweek had to say about why it ranked in the Top 100:

In 2008, (Medtronics) recycled 44% of its total solid waste, a 5% increase from the previous year. Also has made small efforts to eliminate controversial substances, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), from products. But beyond setting short-term goals on air emissions, the medical device manufacturer has announced few other plans.

Really? that's it? They recycled? Is that all it takes to be this high up on the list? I'm afraid that if I read any further I'll just pop a vein.

Cal State Northridge Sustainability Efforts

2009-10-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

The most recent issue of Northridge Magazine, the alumni magazine of Cal State Northridge, is an ode to the wide variety of sustainability initiatives on the campus.
The Physical Plant Department has been leading the way in energy efficiency for more than 20 years and the campus boasts the largest fuel cell power plant of any university in the world.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, CSUN will be hosting its first Water Day. Leave your super soakers at home -- this is a free educational event, open to the public, that will include workshops and lectures on the water issues facing California (past and present), tips and tricks to increase personal water efficiency, updates from DWP and others on the future of water, and more.
Then on Wednesday is Campus Sustainability Day. Workshops and roundtables to invite the local and campus community to discuss sustainaibility issues and presentations by CSUN students about sustainability research and projects. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., join the Associated Students Environmental Affairs Committee at the Orange Grove. Help pick oranges that will be used in campus food services and donated to local food banks.
At 5 p.m. Hillel Center will be hosting a Sustainable Gardening Social. Exchange a non-perishable food item (to be donated to a local food bank) and in return you'll get dinner, including produce from their experimental food garden, and a show!

2009-10-02T22:15:00.000-07:00

The City of Los Angeles has received funds from the DOE to develop and carry out programs and projects to reduce energy consumption.

Believe it or not, they want YOUR opinion about how to spend the money. That is, if you're a resident of the city of angels.

"The public opinions we are collecting will be incorporated into the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy that is being developed as part of (the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block grant."

It's a fairly short survey that simply asks you to rate priorities for various projects under consideration. There's also room for you to add your own ideas.
Please take the survey now -- make your GREEN voice heard.

Recycle Shoes, Get New Ones at a Discount

2009-10-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

If you've got any unworn or "gently worn" footwear in your closet, Sport Chalet will take them off your hands and give you a discount on new shoes to boot.

The recovered shoes will be donated to Soles 4 Souls which will then distribute them to people in need throughout the world. Many of the shoes go to disaster victims and they are particularly trying to fill the need in Samoa for those who survived the tsunami this week.
Donate any pair of gently worn shoes at a Sport Chalet store between October 5 and October 12 and not only will you feel all warm and fuzzy, but you will receive 25% off any regularly priced pair of shoes in their stores. One discount per pair -- bring as many pair as you like.

2009-08-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition will be co-hosting a special screening of a new documentary film, "Bicycle Dreams" August 29.

The award-winning film by Stephen Auerbach chronicles the Race Across America, an epic, 3000-mile bicycle race from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
The screening will begin at 7 p.m. at the Encino Velodrome, 17301 Oxnard Street. A $5 donation per individual or a $15 donation per family is requested.

Reel Green Workshop in Burbank

2009-06-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Burbank Green Alliance will be hosting a two-hour workshop on July 11 aimed at helping those in the entertainment industry to become more sustainable.

Topics will include creating sustainability goals, forming a culture of sustainability, and implementing in-house recycling initiatives.

Already confirmed as speakers are Josh Mark, director of sustainability for Fox Broadcasting; Shannon Schaefer, president of EcoSet Consulting; and Lauren Selman, president of Reel Green Media.

To attend you must RSVP by July 1 to Jessica Aldridge by calling (818) 238-3900 or sending an email to info@BurbankGreenAlliance.org.

It's All About the Bicycles This Weekend

2009-06-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

The 9th Annual Los Angeles River Ride takes place this Sunday with five different length rides all leaving from the Autry Museum at Griffith Park. The Century begins at 7 a.m. with the 70-, 50- and 35-mile rides leaving at 15 minute intervals thereafter.

A 10-mile Family Ride, taking place completely on the dedicated river bike path starts at 11 a.m. Sign-ups for that start at 10 a.m. to coincide with the beginning of the Fun Fair where the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and Moms in Motion will host bike safety demonstrations in a fun and interactive environment.

Bone up on bicycle safety online by reading How Not to Get Hit By Cars at BicycleSafety.com. Very important especially after the recent death of mother of two Stacy North who was riding her bicycle on the wrong side of the street near Lake Balboa when she was struck by a DWP truck.

The City of L.A. is calling on all cyclists to review the newly revised draft Bike Plan. Check out the map of Valley streets and proposed improvements, additions to bike routes. Comments must be in by June 12.

If you are a cyclist, weekend, commuter or other, and want to meet up with like-minded folk, join the Valley Bikery at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, June 5) at Pitfire Pizza in North Hollywood.

The New LA Water Restrictions

2009-06-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

By now you should already be aware that the City of L.A. has begun enforcing new water restrictions that are designed to reduce agua usage by 15 percent this summer. Most important is that sprinklers can only be run on Mondays and Thursdays and on those days only between midnight and 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. You CAN hand water any day you like, but only during the 12:01 a.m. - 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. timeframe. Fines will be levied after an initial warning.

First reports were that we had to reduce our water usage 15 percent or face higher rates and I was a little peeved since I already practice conservation fairly rigorously. But it turns out, it's not exactly a 15 percent reduction. How it really works is this: each household normally gets an allotment of water for which it pays a base rate. If you go over that allotment, you pay a premium rate for the overage. What the DWP has done is reduced the allotment by 15 percent. You can't find out what the allotment is by looking at your bill yet (the department says they're working on that) but you can go online or call to find out what your allowance is.

So I went on line, and found out that we have already been using far less water than our 15 percent-reduced allotment, so my family doesn't have to worry.

The DWP thoughtfully included a bunch of hang tags in my monthly billing so that I can go around to my neighbors and make sure they're aware of the new rules. Can't quite figure that one out -- aren't all my neighbors DWP customers themselves?

Galaxy of Goo

2009-05-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

West Hills resident Bonnie Klea is vivacious and no-nonsense. She won a battle over a rare bladder cancer diagnosed in 1995, and has long suspected the toxins that taint a big piece of land near her home — land on which, if Los Angeles planners get their way, more building will soon be allowed.

That's the lead paragraph of investigative journalist Michael Collins' latest article on the many shenanigans surrounding the repurposing of various former aerospace sites in the San Fernando and Simi valleys. Published by the L.A. Weekly on March 4, Collins sheds light on recent moves by developers to build office buildings on the former DeVry University property in Canoga Park.

Another story Collins uncovered recently reports on KB Homes efforts to build on land in Runkle Canyon in Simi Valley that is contaminated with the toxic substance benzo(a)anthracene (published in the April 16 issue of the Ventura County Reporter). To read these articles and other past and present investigations by the award-winning journalist, visit Enviroreporter.com.

Weekend Events in the Valley

2009-05-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

There's plenty to do this weekend in the Valley so keep it green and ride your bike to one of the many festivities. Check out the calendar over there to the right with a complete listing of events, times, dates, locations and links.

I am totally bummed that I will be in Sacramento on Friday evening and Saturday and therefore will miss two of the three days of the free Hawaiian Festival at Northridge Park. The Imua Ho'Olaule'a main events -- namely Hawaiian music, dancing and food, food, food -- is something I really look forward to every year. Oh, and the Saturday night fireworks show, this year being hosted by the Neighborhood Councils of Northridge East, Northridge West, Reseda and Winnetka.

Here's an entertainment schedule courtesy of one of the performers, the Jumpin' Flea Circus Players of Los Angeles.

MMMM...kahlua pork, some lau lau and a few malasadas, eaten while watching the cutest-ever keiki hula dancers and all is right with the world. Aloha!

Cycling Calabasas

2009-05-27T22:22:00.001-07:00

After a long (20 or so years) hiatus, I have started riding seriously again, still on the Univega I bought from I. Martin Imports in West Hollywood back in 1985 or so.

For the past couple of weeks I've spent an hour or more three days a week riding around the Valley, mainly on the north end. Valley Circle, Rinaldi, Plummer and Lassen all are very hospitable to cyclists. A couple of times I've ridden down to Lake Balboa and last Saturday rode the Orange Line bike path all the way to Valley College.

What I really enjoy is going slowly enough to really take in the sights. There is an amazing diversity of restaurants, furniture stores, clothing shops and industrial areas.

Today, for instance, I rode from my home near Cal State Northridge to Calabasas, taking a detour into the foothills of Woodland Hills where I lived for a few years as a child (Calabash Elementary, woo hoo!). Then I rode into Calabasas (had to use the sidewalk as those cobblestones are a killer) and took a break at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the shopping center across from the Commons.

At about 10:30 a.m. the place was doing brisk business with mommies & stroller babies, a couple of laptop space takers and the like.

I took my coffee & scone outside and sat by a lovely fountain right in front of a couple of shops I'll have to return to. Susie Cakes creates what looks like delicious confections -- cupcakes and full-size cakes -- and has a sign touting their recent selection as Best Tasting in the Traditional Category of the 2009 Nesquick Challenge for their red velvet (mmmmmmm) cupcakes.

Also stepped into newly-opened O' My Sole a shoe store that has the tagline -- Life's Too Short To Wear Boring Shoes. At the Calabasas store, which the clerk on duty told me is the smallest of the Southern California-based chain, the emphasis is more on comfortable, but stylish, shoes. Don't just by the website, by the way. It is not really reflective of the variety of the store's offering.

But the point of this post is not to hawk these particular stores but that I would not have ever known they were there had I not taken the time to ride by. So next time you want to get some fresh air and get to know your neighborhood better, do it from the back of a bicycle. Just watch out for potholes!

Greenest Soundstage Opened at the WB

2009-05-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

Warner Bros. newly opened Stage 23 in Burbank is the first soundstage built to LEED specifications and is waiting its LEED certification. What, you say? A soundstage is basically just a big airplane hangar -- how hard could it be to get that LEED certified?

In an article in the May 22 issue of the AIA's Architect newsletter, WB project leader Rasa Bausa, said, "It’s an unusual building with no daylight. It‘s a warehouse type of building and functions differently. To try to fit that use into the LEED rating system we had to come up with distinct and clear definitions of how to place a new building type that wasn’t contemplated in the LEED rating system. I think it helps because we are an industry that really does care about sustainability. That was something we needed to tackle, not only for us but for the industry—how do you build a green stage?”

The 21,600-square-foot building is the 35th sound stage at the Warner Bros. Burbank lot. Sustainable construction elements include the use of Forest Stewardship Council-certified lumber, recycled steel and metals, non-toxic paint and adhesives, and foundations made with concrete mixed with 35 percent recycled fly ash. The perimeter of the stage is made of permeable asphalt, which will allow rainwater to seep into the ground.

The project also incorporates energy efficient lighting and cooling technologies with a 100-kilowatt generating solar array being added to the building.

More than 92 percent of the materials from the stage demolished to make way for the new project was reused and recycled, with Warner Bros. saying that 1,890 tons of materials were diverted from landfills in the process.

The Studio also expanded its solar electrical generating system, which will now produce more than 500 kilowatts of clean power.

Hippies Get All Capitalistic

2009-05-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

I was feeling groovy when I began researching the Topanga Days Country Fair taking place this Memorial Day weekend -- I mean, hipppies are the original greenies, right? And it's the 60th Anniversary of the event which is a fundraiser for the Topanga Community Club, whatever that is.

But then I clicked on the Tickets and Membership page and my heart nearly stopped. It will cost non-member adults $20 to visit the fair for ONE day while a three-day pass can be had for the low recession price (their words) of JUST $35.

Granted, you might see Blood, Sweat & Tears, a true hippie artifact if ever there was one, and visit a bunch of eco-friendly vendors in their natural habitat, but the pricing is simply ridiculous, IMHO. If last weekend's WorldFest in Encino is any indicator, visitors will also shell out $4 for an 8-ounce lemonade, or $10 for a plate of tofu curry and brown rice. And there's no indicator whether parking is free (doubtful) although a shuttle van and bicycle parking are.

The days of free love are over -- now you have to pay through the nose for it.

Greek Goes Green

2009-05-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Valley Greek Festival -- a huge annual Memorial Day Weekend event now in its 36th year -- will be going green this year, thanks to the efforts of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council.

Third Planet Energy of Granada Hills will be recycling all of the waste cooking oil and the NENC will be making sure that all of the anticipated 6,000-plus plastic water bottles will also be recycled.

Add free parking and free admission and you get a great way to spend some of your Memorial Day. Check it out at St. Nicholas Greek Othodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge. In action from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. all three days, May 23 through May 25.

Valley Greenpreneurs -- Read This

2009-05-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

Entrepreneurs with a green tech focus are invited to speak at the Green Tech Connect Forum in Pasadena. Hosted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Forum will take place Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

According to the AQMD press release,

"The Green Tech Connect Forum offers a twist from similar conferences. The emerging green technology developers will be profiling their companies, technologies and funding needs to prospective funding partners instead of the investment community talking to an audience of technology developers. It will also include one-on-one opportunities to interface directly with the funding partners."

Those interested in presenting must submit an application by June 5 and be willing to pay a $2,500 fee which covers the speaking fee, a 10'x10' exhibit booth and two registrations.

Just want to attend? Early birds (before July) will pay discounted fees of $200 for government/nonprofit and $350 for everyone else. Prices go up by $100 after that.

Saturday Fun in the Valley

2009-05-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Two fun, green events for the whole family on Saturday: WorldFest in Encino and the Bureau of Sanitation Open House at the West Valley yard.

Let's talk about that second one first. My friend Jen's son is super excited about getting to see the garbage (and recycling) trucks up close and personal. So that's the big draw for a 5-year-old boy. For the grown-ups, get there early and pick up a free citrus tree and/or some free mulch and green your yard. The City will also be providing free food and beverages and there will be games (with prizes) for all. The Valley Yard is at 8840 Vanalden Street in Northridge and the event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WorldFest is being billed as "LA's Largest Earth Day Event." So it's just about a month after Earth Day ... we'll forgive the organizers since it's A) in the Valley and B) going to be chock full of great stuff from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Try Speed Dating -- appropriately held at the Oasis Wine & Beer Garden. Music, seminars, exhibitors, vegan food offerings and lots of tips on how to be more eco-friendly every minute of every day. There's an Orange Line stop (Woodley Station) just across the street from the venue and it's right on one of the best bike paths in the city. Read all about it at the WorldFest website.

Free Bicycle Fixes This Weekend

2009-05-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the culmination of L.A. Bike Week (yep, that's this week!) Valley Bikery will be hosting a free clinic Sunday, May 17. Pedal on down to the corner of Balboa and Burbank boulevards between noon and 4 p.m.

The helpful volunteers will help analyze any problems you might be having, show you how to fix it (if it's something simple) or tell you what you need to do next. Stop by even if you don't need any help -- they'll be spinning some tunes, and serving up BBQ and lemonade.

Eco-Musical for Preschoolers

2009-05-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

A new Sesame Street Live show wants to help the youngest of the young to become environmentally conscious. Elmo's Green Thumb will debut at the Fred Kavli Theater at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center the weekend of May 21-24, followed by stops at the Nokia Theatre downtown and the Terrace Theater in Long Beach.

Some reviews:

Directed by Sylvia Hase, the new show has more songs and dances than a Broadway revue, more audience participation than a game show. ~The Sioux City Journal

Elmo's Green Thumb is 90-minutes long with a 15-minute intermission. I was initially worried that my two year old son wouldn't be able to sit through such a long show, but Sesame Street Live is so action-packed that the time flies and it easily holds the interest of young children. ~Shannon Cotton, Associated Content

Very Green Daily News Today

2009-05-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Today's Daily News had not one but two articles about sustainability smack dab on the front page. Above the fold, with a nice big photograph, was coverage by staff reporter Dana Bartholomew about the Cal State Northridge hydrogen fuel cell/rainforest project. Were you aware that CSUN was given one of six "Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming" awards last month by the National Wildlife Federation?

Just under that story, was an article from The New York Times about how teachers acros the country are using The Story of Stuff, a video on consumption that has been featured in this blog, to educate students about sustainability.

Green Hippo Products

2009-05-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across Green Hippo Products in Northridge today and chatted for a few minutes with COO Curtis Westfall about the company and what they're selling.

Green Hippo makes natural and organic products for gardening (organic fertilizers and plant foods), pet and equestrian care (non-toxic flea and fly control sprays), and personal and home cleaning (hand sanitzers, hand washes and cleaning products).

Curtis told me the products are made in Glendale and sold primarily online. I can't vouch for them personally, but thought locals might be interested in another option for green stuff made right here in town.

Funding for Environmental Justice Projects

2009-05-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

Local green non-profits might want to apply for new Cal EPA grants of up to $20,000 each to be used for environmental justice projects. The program has $250,000 to give away.

Applications must be received in Sacramento by Aug. 5. The stated goals of the funds are to:

- Enhance meaningful public participation.
- Promote community capacity building.
- Collaborate with academia and/or other governmental agencies to document data related to exposures and health complaints.
- Promote community involvement in climate change emission reduction processes and programs.
- Provide funds to continue and/or expand projects funded under the previous grant cycle that have proven effective with excellent progress and results.

Sustainability Tradeoffs

2009-05-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

One of the most frustrating things about trying to be green is having to constantly deal with the question of "paper or plastic?" Of course I mean that in the broadest way possible because of course the answer to that is "the reusable bag you bring yourself."

For instance, is it better to recycle a plastic shopping bag or use it to pick up dog poop (which means it ends up in the trash)? Is it better to use a plastic bag to line a recycle bin or to use no bag but have to "spend" water to clean the bin occasionally?

Sorry to say I don't have a great answer for the question. How do you make these types of decisions?

Fuel Cell Rainforest on KNBC

2009-05-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Local channel 5 did a nice news story on the Cal State Northridge "rainforest" that I posted photos of recently. Check it out.

Recycling Wood Shingles

2009-05-04T10:52:00.001-07:00

My 60-year-old house in Northridge has wood shake shingles that are on their last legs so my husband and I have decided to take the plunge and re-roof. It seems we can save on labor costs (over $1,000) by removing the existing roofing ourselves. That got me started on thinking about how great it would be to recycle the old shingles. After all, they're just wood, right?

Wrong. A call to 1-888-CleanLA, also known as the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works-Environmental Programs Division yielded a big thumbs down. Turns out that most wood roofing materials are treated with fire retarding chemicals which are toxic.

So no mulching or recycling -- they must go into the landfill. That makes me sad.

The upside -- the new roof will be much more energy efficient and we're also taking the opportunity to have some cellulosic insulation blown into the roof to further reduce our energy costs. That will have to do, I guess.

Saturday in Van Nuys: DWP Chief Nahai, Treepeople Founder Lipkis

2009-04-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

David Nahai, the head of the LADWP will be in the Valley Saturday at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Joining Nahai will be Andy Lipkis, founder of TreePeople. Lipkis is a dynamic and compelling speaker who will likely talk about a couple of very interesting water reclamation projects his organization has going in Pacoima and Sun Valley.

The meeting, taking place at the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant at Woodley Park in Van Nuys (also the home of the beautiful Japanese garden -- a free tour will be offered to meeting attendees at the close of the event), will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through to 1 p.m. Nahai's focus is expected to be on water conservation.

Somebody please bring up greywater and whether the City is making it any easier for residents to recapture home non-wastewater for landscape purposes.

The event is free but reservations are required. Call (213) 368-1616.

Local Ballers Going Green

2009-04-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Great story by Tom Hoffarth in the Daily News today about a couple of local baseballers going green in a big way.

Cincinnatti Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson, who grew up in Van Nuys and honed his skills at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, and Cleveland Indians pitcher Jack Cassel, who got his start at Kennedy High School and Pierce College, have formed WePlayGreen.org.

Their primary crusade is to reduce the use of plastic in sports -- think of all those bottles of water and sports drinks consumed by weekend, amateur and professional players every single day. Check out Hoffarth's article and visit the WePlayGreen website and show the locals some love!

2009-04-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day! I'm headed over to CSUN to see what the Institute for Sustainability and the Associated Student Union have cooked up. Join me -- between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Share Your Eco-Deeds

2009-04-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Canoga Park-based Eggology has devoted a page of its website to learning about earth-friendly activities of its customers and others in SoCal. They are also donating a percentage of online sales to the Earth Day Network.

"Together, we can crack this problem once and for all!"

E-mail a photograph or video showcasing your eco-actions, and the company will feature your submission on their site.

Pre-Earth Day Weekend Events

2009-04-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

While the actual "Earth Day" is April 22, there are plenty of goings-on this weekend for those who want to go green. Check out the calendar over to the right of this page for a listing of what's going on in Topanga Canyon, Santa Clarita, Griffith Park, Universal City and Calabasas.

Spacecraft Land at CSUN?

2009-04-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

Nope, those aren't flying saucers on the Cal State Northridge campus...they are the university's latest alternative energy installation.

The "pods" are part of the hydrogen fuel cell satellite plant and they are situated in a simulated rainforest environment.
Water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the fuel cell power process is being diverted into the rainforest area so that faculty and students can study carbon sequestration by plant life. Another study will involve the recovery and diversion of CO2 to nearby biology greenhouses for agricultural studies.

A kiosk next to the fuel cell satellite plant provides visitors with statistics on energy usage at CSUN and shows how the hydrogen process works. Check it out on Earth Day, April 22, and join on-campus festivities in the University Union courtyard.

Cell Phone Recycling Week

2009-04-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

It's Cell Phone Recycling Week! Woo hoo! Raise your phones in the air like you just don't care.

Funny stuff aside (you were laughing, come on, admit it) the EPA estimates there are at least 100 million cell phones that are no longer being used. Let's keep them out of the landfills and perhaps even make them available to others who aren't slaves to technology.

According to the press release, national retailers like AT&T and Verizon are participating in promotions and hoopla to get you to come to their store with your old, even broken, phones. But here's another idea -- Google the word "cell phone recycling" and up shall pop listings for a wide variety of charities that recycle phones for good causes. You'll get a tax write-off or just a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart going this route.

Wells Poll on Greening Small Businesses

2009-04-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

A recent Wells Fargo/Gallup poll of small business owners focused partially on sustainability and found that while 90% of respondents had a personal commitment to green practices, they were much slower to commit their companies to those same practices. For the answers to all 11 poll questions, read this document

Buy a smart, Plant a Tree

2009-04-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

To celebrate its one-year anniversary in the U.S., the folks behind the smart car (no capitalization required apparently) are going to plant a tree for each car sold in 2008 and 2009.

That's a nice forest -- in 2008, smart says they sold 24,622 fortwos.

Under the aegis of American Forests, the trees will grow in the Cache River State Natural Area, in southern Illinois.

Presently the only place to buy a smart in the Valley is at the Universal City dealership, although the company's website says a Thousand Oaks location is "coming soon."

Santa Clarita Greening Group Formed

2009-04-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

This article was posted on the website of The Signal of Santa Clarita Valley on March 28.

Homeowners associations, or HOAs, act as the rule-setters for neighborhoods across the Santa Clarita Valley. If SCV Off The Grid has its way, HOAs will also become the trendsetters in the environmental movement by using their considerable clout and finances to help homeowners go green.

The SCV Off The Grid effort, which began in January, promotes awareness and implementation of large-scale retrofits for solar, wind and watershed technologies in the Santa Clarita Valley to support future marketability of property in the area. The group holds meetings every month, open to residents, to encourage ideas and create potential grass-roots coalitions. Click here to read the entire article

New Motion for L.A. Solar

2009-03-31T09:30:00.001-07:00

The Energy and Environment Committee of the L.A. City Council passed a motion on March 25 to direct the DWP to come up with an alternative to the failed Measure B initiative. The motion states:

It is believed that the Measure failed passage because its lack of an inclusive public process in the development of the proposal. A variety of stakeholders ... expressed concern about the development of the Measure and their inability to fully engage in its inception. They also expressed concerns about its potential cost and impact on the ratepayers.

Interesting that the final sentence there isn't the first sentence. And also interesting that one of the main reasons that many voted against the proposal is the face that this is not a program that needs the voter's approval.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the Department of Water and Power, in conjunction with the City Administrative Officer and the Chief Legislative Analyst, report to the Energy and Enviromnent Committee in 30 days on an inclusive community outreach plan for the development of a solar proposal that meets the needs of interested stakeholders, and calls for the use of the most reliable technology that minimizes program cost and impact to the ratepayers.

Bets on how many dollars will be paid to an outside consulting firm to come up with the community outreach plan?

Burbank Announces $15,000 in Garden Grants

2009-03-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

Burbank Water and Power will be offering two grants for the development of water-efficient demonstration gardens this year.

The program is anticipated to continue over the near four years.
"The grants available for the Demonstration Gardens are up to $15,000 per grant," said Joe Flores of the BWP. "There will be two grants awarded per year for the next four years totaling up to $120,000 in grant funds."

"A demonstration garden really inspires people by showing how beautiful their landscape could be while using a fraction of the water they are using now," said Timothy Wheeler, a landscape consultant. "The sponsor organization benefits by having a beautiful rich garden that increases their visibility and can help highlight their services.”

Click here to apply for the Community Demonstration Garden Grant application or contact the BWP Conservation Department at (818) 238-3730.

Burbank Green Building Forum

2009-03-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

Burbank City Council candidate Kimberly Jo is hosting a Policy Forum on Green Building Initiatives tonight, March 25.

Speakers are Michael Cusumano, head of Cusumano Real Estate Group; Eddie Arango of the U.S. Green Building Council; Mark Greninger of County of Los Angeles Solar Map; and Jeff Bricmont who operates Modern Earth Finance.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in Room 104 of the Community Services Building and is scheduled for just one hour, so don't be late!

CSUN, Pacoima Beautiful, Habitat

2009-03-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

In a press release from the Cal State Northridge campus, Nichole O'Grady writes about a couple of CSUN professors who are putting their paintbrushes where their pencils have been, teaming up with Pacoima Beautiful and Habitat for Humanity.

And they're bringing their students along with them. O'Grady writes:

"Pacoima has become a focal learning tool for Cal State Northridge professor Kyriakos Pontikis. Together with associate urban studies professor Zeynep Toker and Pacoima Beautiful, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the area, Pontikis and Toker’s students have dedicated a semester to not only helping Pacoima, but also similar current and future communities design more sustainable and livable environments."

To read more, visit the CSUN press website.

County "Freecycle" Program

2009-03-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

Just stumbled across LAcoMAX, a materials exchange website operated by the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works. It's open to individuals, nonprofits, and businesses and works much like a Freecycle group. Let's say your business is replacing some older computers that are still quite serviceable. You can either look for an organization that is seeking such items for donation or post that you have it available. If a nonprofit gets it, you get the write-off!

Here's a sample Available! posting.

Available!! Computer tower in Area 1 ( North Hollywood, CA ).
Category: ELECTRONICS
This listing is for schools/nonprofits only.
Description: 2001 Dell computer, still workable, but outdated.

I've removed the info about contacting the poster for security purposes. The nice thing about the site is you can search by region within LA County to reduce getting a bunch of materials very far away. You can also select what type of materials you are interested in. Categories range from electronics and durable goods to construction materials and textiles.

GOOD Water Decisions

2009-03-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

A friend posted this great diagram about the water impacts of such things as coffee vs. tea (coffee uses much more water), beef versus salad, and from GOOD, "the integrated media platform for people who want to live well and do good."
Here's how GOOD introduced the diagram:

As we become more and more aware that we may be using water at an unsustainable pace, the idea of water footprints—the amount of water an individual uses—is becoming more common.

Water footprints can be hard to calculate, depending on how far up the chain of production you go, since everything you eat and buy used some water to produce (to feed cows for beef, for example, or to use in the factory that made your cell phone.

With our latest Transparency, we give you some examples of how much water is used in some of your daily activities, so that you can begin calculate your footprint and try to reduce your gallons.

To help put things in perspective, think about this: your standard trash barrel holds 32 gallons and a mid-sized passenger car—if pumped full of water—has room for a little more than 800 gallons. So, the difference in the amount of water it takes to produce a pound of chicken and a pound of beef is enough to fill almost two whole cars.

The diagram was created through a collaboration between GOOD and Fogelson-Lubliner. SOURCES: Department of Energy; H2OConserve; IEEE Spectrum; The Water Footprint Network

Attention Online Green Marketers

2009-03-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

In a jargon-laden press release, Westlake Village-based ValueClick Media unveiled a new Earth Day sponsorship package to "connect green marketers with environmentally conscious consumers through exclusive access to highly relevant content in the weeks and days leading up to Earth Day on April 22."

Can anyone decipher what this means: "The sponsorship includes a high percentage share of voice on a custom eco-friendly shopping micro-site within Become.com in the days leading up to Earth Day, including a featured merchant logo, product listings, center hero image and content integration."

Not being an eco-marketer, this is obviously not written for me, but even so, it seems to include a lot of nonsensical terminology. Translation anyone?

Sun Valley CNG Fueling Station Opens

2009-03-16T11:52:00.001-07:00

Being stuck behind a school bus belching toxic diesel fumes may become a thing of the past for those in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The second-largest school district in the country today had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station in Sun Valley.

The station is the second for the district; the first opened in 2001 in the South Bay.

Currently the LAUSD has 40 CNG-powered school buses operating out of the Sun Valley transportation hub. It plans to add another 60.
With 172 CNG buses, the LAUSD boasts the largest such fleet in the state thanks in part to funding from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

“As we replace our aging buses with new safe, energy-efficient, and lower-emission school buses, we will also continue to build infrastructures that support our greening efforts,” said Transportation Branch Director Enrique Boull’t.

Wedding Gown Goes Green

2009-03-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

New entry in the "is that really green?" marketing awards is bridal designer Hanna Hartnell of Santa Monica with her self-designed "sustainable wedding dress."

Today's press release reveals how Hartnell's new design, the Double Dare Gown, can be worn "many times" beyond wedding day and describes the gown not only as cost-effective but recyclable as well.

Turns out that the dress, priced at about $1200 (that's reasonable?) is reversible, with the lining being a different color of the same silk as the wedding side. Hartnell counts the choice of fabric as being earth friendly because she uses natural silk "that's not only sustainable, but processed by a clean technology."

Since the gown can be worn more than once, Hartnell is touting it as "reusable, recycled and reduced," although I think that last word may refer to the cost, not the manufacturing process.

Valley Business Carbon Footprint Seminar

2009-03-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

Just found out that on Thursday, Mar. 12, the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) is hosting a workshop for small businesses titled Understanding Your Carbon Footprint: Opportunities in a Changing Climate.

Topics that will be covered include: greenhouse gas emissions accounting and reporting, public company reporting obligations, and how to create a marketing opportunity and gain value from the “greening” of your business.

Public relations consultant Cerrell Associates Inc. and law firm Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. will have experts presenting on these topics.

WHERE: VICA building at 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks
DATE: Thursday, March 12
TIME: 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
COST: FREE

The Mouse Plans Cleaner House

2009-03-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Walt Disney Company has produced an impressive online report outlining its environmental goals over the next three to five years as part of its annual Corporate Responsibility report.

The interactive multimedia presentation is now available online at disney.com. Included is information on the company’s comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory, its plans to reduce emissions, waste, electricity, fuel and water use and its other environmental impacts.

Burbank Recycled Water Policy

2009-03-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

The City of Burbank has made the use of recycled water mandatory for large irrigated landscaped areas. All properties with 2,500 square feet of landscaping, or that use 50,000 gallons per year of water, and that have a recycled water main will be required to comply in order to continue to receive potable water service. The move should increase the amount of water recycled in the City to more than 1 billion gallons annually, said Joanne Fletcher, assistant general manager of Burbank Water and Power.

For additional information on the Recycled Water Use Policy, contact Mathew Elsner, Principal Civil Engineer at (818) 238-3500 or visit BurbankWaterandPower.com

Los Angeles Receives Energy Star Crown

2009-03-04T23:06:00.000-08:00

By Linda Coburn
San Fernando Valley Business Journal Staff

The Los Angeles metropolitan region was the Energy Star approved capital of the country for commercial buildings in 2008, said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The distinction came in the most active year ever for the Energy Star program, according to EPA spokesperson Maura Beard.

“Over 3,200 buildings across the country earned the Energy Star in 2008,” said Beard. That was almost as many buildings as for all years of the program combined. “We had 130 percent growth over the prior year and a 53 percent increase cumulatively. It was just a huge unprecedented growth for us.”

In the greater San Fernando Valley region, 44 buildings earned the energy efficiency designation in 2008. The buildings that qualified emit 35 percent less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and reduced their energy use by 35 percent.

That translates into an average energy savings of $0.50 per square foot on average for a commercial building.

It’s important to note that the Energy Star looks purely at energy efficiency, which has little to do with installing expensive equipment like solar panels and wind turbines, and more to do with things that any business, regardless of size, can implement.

“The best way to be efficient is to look at things like the operating characteristics of your building,” said Beard. “A lot of folks, once they start measuring and monitoring with our tools, find they are heating and cooling their buildings while unoccupied. So by adjusting those operating features they’ll save energy.”

Installing sensors on light switches, automated thermostats and turning computers off at the end of the day can have a big impact on a operating costs. “And you can do that in a way that doesn’t sacrifice comfort and safety,” said Beard.

Energy Star gives its blessing to 12 different types of commercial buildings, five types of manufacturing plants, and new home construction in addition more than 50 product categories like televisions and appliances.

This article was originally posted at www.sfvbj.com.

Campus Teach-In Draws A Crowd

2009-02-09T10:01:00.000-08:00

The CSUN Teach-In on Climate Change and Sustainability drew a crowd with headliner Andy Lipkis, founder of TreePeople, kicking off the day with a call to action for students and faculty alike.

Saying that everyone makes a difference, whether positive or negative, with every action or inaction, the engaging Lipkis detailed a wide variety of projects undertaken by the organization he started when he was 18 and a student at Sonoma State.

Read all about it on the Sundial website.

EPA Award Deadline Looms

2009-02-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking nominations for their 2009 Western Region Environmental Awards program.

The deadline to submit nominations is February 8. Those with residences, businesses or organizations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands are eligible.

The goal is to identify and honor those who made significant contributions toward improving the environment last year.
Click here for criteria and other information on the contest.

Two Valley residents were recognized at the 2007 awards: Dennis Washburn, then Mayor of Calabasas and presently a Calabasas City Council member; and Robina Suwol of Toluca Lake who founded California Safe Schools.

CSUN Sustainability Event

2009-02-03T09:40:00.000-08:00

As part of a nationwide Climate Change Teach-In, California State University Northridge will be hosting an all-day event with speakers, workshops, headlined by Andy Lipkis of Tree People.

The Teach-in On Climate Change and Sustainability is open to the public.

Kickoff is at 10:45 a.m. and Lipkis will speak from 11 a.m. to noon. "I told Andy he could go on at 11 a.m. and then I realized we needed to have an introduction," said Ashwani Vasishth of the odd start time. "Plus it sticks in peoples' heads." he added with a chuckle.

Vasishth is the newly appointed director of the CSUN Sustainability Institute. He and others who have been involved in the start-up of the Institute will speak from noon to 12:30 on the CSUN Greening project. From 1:15 to 3 p.m., there will be hour-long panels covering Climate Change Science, Climate Change Policy, and Actions to Combat Climate Change Impacts.

2009-02-02T15:57:00.001-08:00

The West Valley Occupational Center starts a new program for solar panel installers on Feb. 9.

The 100-hour program will teach participants the basics of installing photovoltaic (or PV) solar panels, said Luis A. Lopez, assistant principal of the West Valley campus. By fall, he added, "we plan on offering the advanced 300 course that leads to a state certification in solar panel installation. Eventually we plan on offering the NABEP Test here on Campus."

That test is required by contractors to be licensed in solar panel installers.

In the summer, Lopez said, WVOC will be offering a Hybrid Technology class in their automotive program. Other classes are going to be developed in that arena including hydrogen conversion kits and how to convert hybrid cars to all-electric.

For more information on the classes offered by WVOC call (818) 346-3540.

Sustainabilities?

2009-01-30T13:47:00.000-08:00

This blog started as a CSUN Student Project and thus had a student-y name: "Save the Planet, Not the Hippies." The class is over but the blog has turned into a passion for one student who sees no reason that the San Fernando Valley should not become the center of cleantech and other sustainable products and services for Southern California. Thus the name change which attempts to combine the words "sustainability" and "opportunities."

Stay tuned for information on the Valley Green Team and the Valley Green Pages, a directory of resources for businesses, consumers and organizations who share this commitment.

CSUN Sustainability Overview

2008-12-14T20:53:00.000-08:00

For our final class project, the Save the Planet team interviewed two of the key players in the California State University Northridge sustainability movement: Dr. Ashwani Vasishth, the recently appointed head of the new CSUN Sustainability Institute, and Tom Brown of the Physical Plant Department. We also talked to some students about recycling.

Burbank Airport Unveils First LEED-Certified Hangar

2008-12-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

This story was posted on the San Fernando Valley Business Journal website on Dec. 9, 2008. Photo is courtesy of the Los Angeles Times, photo credit goes to Scott Firestone.

Solar power, drought-resistant plants and recycled materials all contribute to Hangar 25 at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, what its builder is calling the most sustainable aircraft hangar in the world.

The hangar built by Shangri-La Construction was given Platinum LEED Certification, the highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The building, which is powered by a solar array on the roof, plugs the aviation industry into the green market, said John Picard, a consultant on the project.

“The doors have opened to the industry and now can ask, ‘What can we do next?’” Picard said.

The building has a concrete floor that uses no chemical polymers, a hi-fog fire suppression system that reduces water usage and minimizes waste from fire damage, and bicycle racks to encourage employees to not drive to work.

Shangri-La is in negotiations to construct a similar facility for Maguire Aviation at Van Nuys Airport.

2008-12-07T23:05:00.000-08:00

Way back in April of 2007, the City of Burbank City Council passed a resolution to put a project in motion to bring hydrogen-powered buses to Burbank. The bus, when it goes into use in March of 2009, will be the first kind in Southern California.

The Burbank Leader r eports that $2 million dollar project was paid for predominately by the State of California, though the city partnered with private developers to make up around $600,000 not covered by state funding. The bus, which will be fueled by hydrogen stations being built into city infrastructure. The bus's only emissions are water, and in addition to its positive impact on city pollution it will be significantly cheaper to run as far as day to day costs once the project is completed. Burbank plans to add more such buses as time goes on.

Image credit City of Burbank Press Release

Green Job Growth to Benefit California

2008-11-26T09:54:00.000-08:00

A study by researchers from the Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness shows that growth in sustainable industries could directly benefit California, among other states.

"Manufacturing Climate Solutions" identifies manufacturing jobs that already exist and which new ones might get started as the U.S. moves forward in its sustainability policies.

"Until now, there was no tangible evidence of what the jobs are, how they are created and what it means for U.S. workers. We are providing that here," said Gary Gereffi, the report’s lead author. "We don't guess where the jobs are; we name them. Our report uses value chains to show that clean technology jobs are also real economy jobs."

These five carbon-reducing technologies with potential for future green job creation were the subject of the study:

- Concentrating solar power

- LED lighting

- High-performance windows

- Auxiliary power units for long-haul trucks

- Super Soil Systems (a new method for treating hog wastes)

The report includes a detailed breakdown of the supply chains that provide parts and labor for these five industries and also identifies companies already positioned to support green jobs.

Burbank Signs Natural Gas Deal

2008-11-20T14:27:00.000-08:00

From the San Fernando Valley Business Journal website

The City of Burbank has extended for an additional 14 years a partnership for compressed natural gas from Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

Clean Fuels opened its first natural gas station in 2002 and under the modified agreement will design, build and operate a new station at the Burbank Public Works Yard to support the city’s growing fleet of natural gas-powered refuse trucks.

The effort will significantly support the City’s efforts to meet its sustainability goals and reduce its carbon footprint, while enhancing both the health and environmental benefits of all its citizens,” said James Harger, Clean Energy Senior Vice President.

Waxman Wins Battle for Key Chairmanship

2008-11-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

Rep. Henry Waxman was successful in his bid to remove another Democrat, Rep. John Dingell, from his position as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Dingell, the most senior member of the House, represents Michigan, the automaker's state while Waxman gains his constitutency from California, which has been battling the EPA and automakers to set even greater emissions reductions and efficiency increases.

The vote was close, 137-122, and signals a significant increase in California's Capitol Hill power.

Obama Addresses Los Angeles Climate Conference

2008-11-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

Gov. Schwarzenegger announced Barack Obama as a surprise guest speaker at the Governors Global Climate Summit he hosted in Los Angeles on Nov. 18 and 19. Obama addressed the gathering via this four-minute video. Enjoy!

Chevrolet Volt Smashes EPA Fuel Economy Rating Methods

2008-11-17T17:44:00.000-08:00

The day is finally upon us where passenger cars running on more than straight ol' war starting fossil fuel are hitting the mainstream. While this is great for consumers all around, it is forcing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rethink their methods for testing a car's fuel economy. The last generation of hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, ran their gasoline and electric motors at the same time, making fuel economy estimates easier.

But how do you test fuel economy for a car like the Chevy Volt, which will be able to run for around 40 miles on electricity alone? Traditional EPA test methods include stretches of highway and city mileage around 11 miles long, which the Volt can pull off without ever using a sip of fuel. So how do you rate it? Many have called for a new EPA testing system that will be fair to all new cars and automakers, and still give consumers a good idea what they can expect to pay at the pump.

Opportunity Green Conference Recap

2008-11-16T14:10:00.000-08:00

2008-11-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

Happy America Recycles Day!

Business Recycling Made Easy(er)

2008-11-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Tonight my husband told me that the person who used to pick-up his company's used cardboard boxes to recycle has stopped doing it because the price he was getting for the material has dropped drastically. Now what can he do?

A quick Google search first turned up a company cleverly named usedcardboardboxes.com. Businesses with a minimum of 1,000 same-size cardboard boxes can contact the business to have their waste picked up.

But my husband's Chatsworth-based business doesn't have that kind of output, so we next found a nifty resource closer to home on the DWP website. The site asks what kind of material you have to recycle, and then pops out a list of every recycler in Los Angeles County that accepts that material along with address and phone number. It's a little tedious to find someone in your specific area but it's doable.

Waxman Wants Key Energy Post

2008-11-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

The Sacramento Bee reported yesterday that U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, whose 30th District includes much of the West Valley, is attempting to replace Rep. John Dingell of Michigan as the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Click here to read Sacramento Bee article in its totality.

Palmdale Farm Goes Solar

2008-11-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

This item was posted as a Daily Update on the San Fernando Valley Business Journal website on October 31, 2008.

Bolthouse Farms Inc. in Palmdale completed a clean energy project that uses a 1.9 megawatt solar power system to provide 80 percent of the farm's electricity.

The more than 10,000 solar panels were designed and installed by Regenesis Power in Simi Valley. The ground-mounted solar arrays use a tilted single-axis tracking system that follows the sun during the day for greater efficiency.

Bolthouse Farms has a long history of responsibly using natural resources to ensure sustainability, said President Jeffrey Dunn. “We’re excited to be able harness the sun to power our farming operations,” Dunn said.

MMA Renewable Ventures owns and operates the solar system and sells the power generated by the solar arrays to Bolthouse through a purchase agreement.

Don't Just Recycle - FREEcycle

2008-11-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

So you just opened a brand new shiny 17" computer monitor and can't figure out what to do with your old, but still working, CRT monitor. What are your options?

Well, you could throw it in the trash. BAD IDEA. In addition to the non-biodegradable plastics and glass, there are toxic chemicals in there.

You could wait for an electronic waste recycling event to come around. BETTER IDEA. Usually the electronics at these events are cannibalized for reusable parts and the non-usable stuff is recycled or disposed of properly.

Or you could Freecycle it. Freecycle groups, such as the Northridge Freecycle Group on Yahoo groups, allow people to post items they want to get rid of and others to request the items. All transactions occur with NO FEES. This is not a way to make money or find free stuff you can then re-sell (although some people do that). The idea is to get stuff from the person who doesn't want it or need it to the person who does. Groups tend to operate locally so find one in your area.

Craig's List is another option. Each Craig's List site has a FREE section (under the For Sale label) where people can post something they want, or something they are giving away.

Do you have a freecycling experience? Tell us about it.

How Green is Your Representative?

2008-10-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

The California League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club both released scorecards showing the voting records of California senators and assembly members as relates to environmental issues. As might be expected, party played a part in the votes with Republicans generally getting very low scores and Democratics for the most part scoring very high.

Following is a snapshot of the ranking for the representatives of our wonderful network of Valleys. If you're not sure which district you're in, the Your Legislature webpage will tell you just by requesting your zipcode.

Senate

District 17: George Runner (R) 6%
District 19: Tom McClintock (R) 11%
District 20: Alex Padilla (D) 94%
District 21: Jack Scott (D) 100%
District 23: Sheila Kuehl (D) 100%

Assembly

District 36: Sharon Runner (R) 0%
District 37: Audra Strickland (R) 19%
District 38: Cameron Smythe (R) 24%
District 39: Felipe Fuentes (D) 86%
District 40: Lloyd Levine (D) 100%
District 41: Julie Brownley (D) 100%
District 42: Mike Feuer (D) 100%
District 43: Paul Krekorian (D) 95%

New CSUN Institute for Sustainability

2008-10-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Provost Harry Hellenbrand announced yesterday the creation of the Institute for Sustainability at California State University, Northridge. Dr. Ashwani Vasishth, assistant professor in the department of urban studies and planning has been named director.

Hellenbrand said that the institute is the result of a group of deans led by Dr. William Jennings, dean of the College of Business and Economics. He sees it as part of the broader Campus Greening Project that is supported by a "greening initiative core team," that has been meeting regularly.

The mission of the institute, wrote Hellenbrand in a campus-wide announcement, "is to promote, facilitate, and develop educational, research, and university and community programs related to sustainability."

Huntington Park Group Receives Environmental Justice Award

2008-10-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Huntington Park-based Communities for a Better Environment
was one of two southern California environmental organizations honored with the Environmental Protection Agency’s first annual Environmental Justice Achievement Awards.

Communities for a Better Environment focuses on environmental health and justice within working class communities of color through organizing, scientific and policy research, and legal assistance.

One of their key local initiatives it their role in the LA Apollo project, launched in 2006. The project's first goal is to create 2000 good paying, union, "green jobs" by the year 2009 for residents of LA's communities of color, while helping to improve the city's environment.

City Council Proposes Solar Ballot Initiative

2008-10-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles City Council is proposing a new initiative that is tentatively being called the Los Angeles Basin Solar Power, Green Energy and Jobs Development Mandate for Los Angeles Initiative. The motion for the initiative passed handily in the October 15 council meeting and is being looked at by the Rules and Government committee.

The initiative would mandate that the DWP produce 3 percent of its energy demand from solar power; create a solar jobs recruitment and training program; and offer bid preferences and other incentives to support the creation and expansion of solar-related industry in the City.

But they're going to have to come up with a snappy acronym if the thing is ever going to go anywhere! LABSPGEJDMLAI is just not going to cut it.

No mention of how this initiative might be duplicating mandates set forth in AB32.

Heal the Bay Founder Dies

2008-10-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Dorothy Green, founder of Heal the Bay, died Oct. 13 at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 79.

From her first gathering Santa Monica residents concerned about the health of the ocean in 1985, Green created Heal the Bay, an organization that became one of the leading water quality watchdogs in California.

Heal the Bay first successfully advocated to have the Los Angeles Hyperion and Carson sewage treatment plants comply with the federal Clean Water Act. The group also devised the Beach Report Card, providing water quality grades for more than 500 beaches statewide.

“Dorothy Green was simply the most influential water quality activist in California for the last 30 years,” said Mark Gold, her protégé and current president of Heal the Bay. More of Gold's thoughts about Dorothy can be read in his blog.

A public memorial service will be held Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Heal the Bay, the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council or California Water Impact Network.

Valley Bicycle Concept Plan

2008-10-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is working with the Metropolitan Transit District to develop a Concept Access Plan to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to six transit hubs in LA County.

The LACBC website a new "Current Projects" tab, which has the history of the program, updates and powerpoint presentations of the Newhall and Van Nuys stations' existing conditions and recommendations. You can also find a link to an email so any comments you have on the plan may be included in the final report.

L.A. County Approved New 'Green' Ordinances

2008-10-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved three new ordinances that they hope will improve the quality of life in Los Angeles.

As reported in the Los Angeles Daily News, the three ordinances will require builders of new homes, and businesses, to "use power more efficiently, retain storm water on site, and use drought-tolerant plants."

More on this to follow...

2008-10-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

The San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center has reported a marked decline in air quality in large swatches of the San Fernando Valley, coupled with a decline in the ozone layer reports Daily Sundial Staff Reporter Reiko Kanazawa for the CSU Northridge student daily publication.

Writes Kanazawa:

The particulate concentrations in the East Valley are rising and mixed results were found for the West Valley, which is worse by state standards but better by federal standards, according to the study.

Besides ozone and particulates, all pollution measures registered well below federal and state standards and their levels either fell or remained low, the study said.

The dichotomy between state of California and federal pollution standards shows just how stringent California has become in tackling gross polluters, of which there are many in the industry-heavy San Fernando Valley.

As one of the most dedicated local news sources in the Valley, serving the CSU Northridge community, the Daily Sundial consistently reports these concerns in a way that your average anti-treehugginghippie environmentalite can understand.

And we're not biased. Not at all (:

The Story of Stuff

2008-10-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute video that makes an even better case for personal environmentalism than Inconvenient Truth in my humble opinion. Why, you ask? Mainly because it shows how the consumption of everything, not just natural resources, is impacting the world. Buy less stuff, save the world (and money, too!) Watch the whole video by going to The Story of Stuff website. Here's a teaser video.

Solar Tax Credits Also Extended

2008-10-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

The Solar Electric Power Association also weighed in on provisions in HR1424 that will have a positive impact on that form of alternative energy.

According to their press release, the solar investment tax credit provisions in the bill include:

1) Extension for 8 years of the 30% tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations;

2) Elimination of the $2,000 monetary cap for residential solar electric installations, creating a true 30% tax credit (effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2008);

3) Elimination of the prohibition on utilities from benefiting from the credit;

4) Allowance for Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) filers, both businesses and individuals, to take the credit; and

5) Authorization of $800 million for clean energy bonds for renewable energy generating facilities, including solar.

Biodiesel Tax Incentives Extended

2008-10-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Bailout Bill approved by the House of Representatives today (officially known as H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) would extend certain tax incentives that directly affect alternative energy production. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law soon.

Specifically, according to The Biodiesel Bulletin, H.R. 1424 will:

1) Extend the biodiesel tax incentive for one year through Dec. 31, 2009.

2) Allow all biodiesel to qualify for the $1 per gallon biodiesel incentive. (Currently, biodiesel produced from yellow grease is eligible for a 50 cents per gallon tax incentive.)

3) Close the so-called "splash-and-dash" loophole. Splash-and-dash is where foreign finished fuel is sent to the U.S.; splash-blended to claim the tax incentive; and then shipped to a third country for final use. Effective May 15, 2008, fuel produced outside the U.S. for use outside the U.S. does not qualify for the biodiesel tax incentive.

4) Redefine the biodiesel incentive to exclude co-processed renewable diesel.

Green Goes to the Dogs

2008-09-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Want to make sure your faithful companion has an environmentally friendly, not to mention totally cool, place to hang out? Check out what is being billed as the first "eco-friendly doghouse."
The project was conceived as part of the Project Playhouse fundraiser for HomeAid-Los Angeles/Ventura County in which four "playhouses" were designed and built by local companies and put up for auction. Some proceeds from this particular structure will also go to The Rescue Train, an animal rescue organization.

You can bid at the online auction thru Oct. 19. The playhouses are in residence at The Lakes shopping center in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Santa Clarita Firm Applies for Solar Cell Patent

2008-09-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

From the San Fernando Valley Business Journal website Posted 9/30/2008

Bio-Solar Inc. has applied for a patent for improvements to produce solar cells from renewable plant sources.

The Santa Clarita-based company already makes its BioBacksheet product at a 25 percent cost reduction by using plant sources rather than petroleum-based parts. The patent application is for a new material configuration and manufacturing technique to produce a version of the solar cells that can potentially deliver a 50% reduction in cost.

Bio-Solar shipped BioBacksheet samples to a select group of manufacturers for their evaluation in several regions of the country.

“Initial test results are very encouraging and we continue to receive positive feedback and be responsive to the needs of potential buyers,” said Bio-Solar CEO David Lee,. “With solar cell demand expected to exceed supply for the next 5 to 10 years, we believe there is tremendous opportunity for growth.”

Annette Bening Opens TreePeople Teaching Garden Oct. 2

2008-09-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

Annette Bening will be the celebrity ribbon-cutter for the new Watershed Teaching Garden and Center for Community Forestry at the TreePeople headquarters in Coldwater Canyon.

The event on Oct. 2 will start at 10:30 a.m. with a press conference and ribbon cutting, followed by an Eco-Tour.

The new $10 million campus is designed to help residents of Los Angeles "adopt water-conserving lifestyles, improve the quality of their communities, and protect their families and neighborhoods from climate change."

Porsche Boxter Running on Compressed Air - Not so Fast (Literally)

2008-09-28T23:37:00.000-07:00

AltCar Expo brought many exciting new technologies to the automotive world and the eco-friendly Santa Monica community.

Perhaps none of the technology showcase cars on display garnered as much attention as the MIIN-Air Porsche Boxster, which, as it sounds, is a Boxster converted to run solely on compressed air. While it is, for Glenn Bell of Air Fuel Auto, certainly a wonderful idea to pursue, it is not exactly ready to challenge stock Boxsters on the freeway.

The MIIN-Air carries a measured top speed of 45 mph, and at current time has a range of not quite 50 miles. While these numbers are not ready to win over any air car converts just yet and the method for power delivery is relatively inefficient, it is certainly a promising technology. The MIIN-AIR Boxster was available for test drive for the select few lucky enough to get on the list, and we can attest to the fact that it does indeed run. With no gasoline engine anywhere and massive compressed air tanks filling every compartment, is this the future of green automotive technology or...sorry...just a bunch of hot air.

photos by jesse sears for Save the Planet | Not the Hippies

Come Meet the "Not the Hippies" Team at Alt Car Expo!

2008-09-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all 6 of our loyal readers.

We'd like to point out a noteworthy event most worthy of your attendance happening in Santa Monica, Calif., this Friday and Saturday Sept. 26 and 27.

The Alt Car Expo, an annual event where patchouli-biodiesel types can mix it up with the scientists and businessmen who are, much to their delight and quite beyond their comprehension, spearheading advances allowing them to live their "free" lifestyle all the more cheaply.

There, you will be able to obtain information on how you can reduce your carbon footprint, save money and make your chosen mode of transportation go just that much faster, all in a few simple steps.

And, you can see cool little machines like these!

If you think you might be attending, drop us a comment! We would love to see you, and we will buy you some kombucha that was cultured in Willie Nelson's tour bus... or something like that.

Best,
Jesse

The Fallacy of Renewable Energy Credits

2008-09-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

We’d all like to get “off the grid,” but most businesses and residents in the San Fernando Valley are married to the DWP for our electrical power, and many of us don’t have the financial resources to invest in our own personal solar generating systems.

Have no fear, renewable energy credits are here!

With this scheme, one first determines, through the use of a simple computer program, your “carbon footprint” or how much pollution you are spewing into the atmosphere. Based on the calculations, you can then purchase “renewable energy credits” from a broker like Manhattan Beach-based 3 Phases Renewables to become “carbon neutral.”

In effect, RECs, also known as "green tags" or "renewable energy certificates," subsidize renewable energy producers.

One REC represents one megawatt hour of emissions-free electricity (the average person in the US each year consumes more than 12 megawatt hours of electricity). Though the purchaser of the credit doesn't actually use the electricity themselves, the clean power is fed into the electric utility grid somewhere in the world where it is used by others. It’s a way of compensating for the environmental impacts of consuming un-green electricity.

But while this may have an effect on the environment somewhere, it doesn’t have the same local effect as when you and I cut back on our personal energy expenditures, be it electricity or gas.

Thinking globally is nice, but acting locally is the only way to make a real difference for your friends, family and neighbors.

~Linda Coburn

Glendale Eco-Community Garden

2008-09-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

The City of Glendale, Calif., in collaboration with the Coalition for a Green Glendale, is seeking volunteers to participate in a new Eco-Community Garden that will spring to life in early 2009.

This will be the first project in a City initiative aimed at revitalizing vacant parcels of land and turning them into green space for the community.

It is hoped that a neglected, vacant lot on the 800 block of Monterey Road, near the entrance of the 134 freeway, will be transformed into a vibrant community garden, where city residents may grow vegetables and flowers.

Contact Coalition for a Green Glendale co-founder Alek Bartrosouf at (818) 359-0108. The Green-Glendale.org website should have information available about the project soon.

More information on Community Gardens.