During this historic time of national service, we honor everyone who dedicates time to help others and the world including one special group - teenagers! When I was a teenager, I didn't know green from orange, so it is inspiring to see young leaders taking control of their health and their future. Who else would dress up in prom dresses to demonstrate for safe cosmetics in San Francisco's Union Square? Don't miss the popular Teens Turning Green Summit in Marin this February 6-7, 2009 and hear excellent speakers, participate in eco-lifestyle workshops, meet fellow eco-chic crusaders, and sample the new beauty product collection. Enjoy a Green Spa, gift bags, raffle prizes and sumptuous organic meals - all for free if you register! Hosted in part by organic beauty leaders Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Pangea Organics, Weleda, John Masters and Whole Foods. Toxic chemicals are out, and organic is in. Eco-beauty is the new human right. www.teensturninggreen.org
« November 2008 | Main | February 2009 »
January 28, 2009
Win a Green Heroes Grant
Proving that it pays in multiple ways to be eco-friendly is the new Green Works™ Green Heroes Grant Program. You could be one of
five Green Heroes who will each receive a $10,000 grant to help your
eco-community project grow and flourish. Now if that isn't miraculous, I don't know what is!
Whether your project takes place on a neighborhood block or throughout an entire community, just upload a photo of your green program in action and then describe how a grant could help. A panel of eco-experts, including representatives from ecofabulous.com, the Sierra Club, and the Lazy Environmentalist, will select 10 finalists. The general public will then have the opportunity to vote for five Green Heroes who will receive a $10,000 grant. Incidentally, I recommend the Green Works products, such as the natural glass & surface cleaner. It works well on everything and contains coconut-based cleaning agents, essential oils, and absolutely no bleach even though it is made by you-know-who. Best of luck in the contest. I hope that you win! www.greenworkscleaners.com/greenhero
January 26, 2009
Lip Talk
Do you want to change the world through your lips? Before even saying a word?
Try the new organic Speak Freely for Humanity Lip Balms in vanilla for only $3 through the end of January. Kaia House is donating $1 of every purchase to humanitarian organizations starting with the Carter Center founded by Jimmy Carter. These luscious balms also contain SPF15 and no parabens. Wear your values on your lips and say what you need to say - and don't forget to pucker up on special occasions. www.speakfreelybalms.com
Don't miss the entire just-launched Kaia House collection, which is as softening as it is sexy. Getting gorgeous is as simple as a scoopful of their Egyptian Rose Body Creme brimming with rose water, shea butter, and organic jojoba oil. For chocoholics, the Chocolate Vanilla Body Creme is a must-have in the bathroom or kitchen. After all, smelling chocolate is a lot less dangerous than eating it. www.kaiahouse.com
January 25, 2009
Celebrating Alan Jones
Today the Very Reverend Alan Jones retired as the Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
Here he is on July 17, 2008 with Mayor Gavin Newsom and PG&E's Nancy McFadden announcing solar panels on the cathedral.
In honor of this great spiritual leader and thinker of our time, I wanted to share a few of the profound statements Alan spoke, in his deep eloquent English accent, during his sermons on Sunday mornings:
"Be what you see. Receive who you are. "
"We are all artists; we are all works of art. Art, music and nature connect us to the mystery of life."
"Hope is incarnate in our DNA. Our end is not knowable; therefore, I hope."
"The visible is a link to the invisible. The world is full of things waiting to be seen."
"Lose yourself. Find yourself. It is what we do with our scars that matters."
"When you look into another's eyes, remember there is a struggle going on."
"Be outraged. Use it as an engine of love. Allow love to reimagine the world."
"Is there something worth dying for? Is there something worth living for?"
"True love knows no grasping."
"Something different is asked of each of us in this life."
"The universe belongs to the dancer. I cannot find myself by myself. I am because you are."
"There will be no more green jello served at meetings." (Yes, Alan had a wicked sense of humor!)
Alan Jones has a deep heart of green and embraced our Stewardship of Creation committee, oversaw the installation of solar panels on the cathedral's roof, invited Jane Goodall to speak at the Forum, and delivered stirring sermons about the sustainability of the planet on St. Francis day - the day when everyone brings their pets to be blessed in a kind of wonderful bedlam punctuated by opportune barking moments and an occasional meow. Alan, we will miss your brilliance, your humor, your moving words, and your presence.
If you visit Grace Cathedral, you will see two extraordinary labyrinths you can walk - one inside and one outside - modeled after the famous one in the Chartres Cathedral near Paris.
For more of Alan Jones, please see the podcasts on the Grace Cathedral web site and his many books about religion and the journey of the soul in our modern world. He is at his essence interdenominational and welcoming regardless of one's faith and always said, "A cathedral is a sign of our call to be inclusive and compassionate toward the whole human family. A cathedral is a house of prayer for all people."
Congratulations to the Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, the Environmental Minister at Grace Cathedral, on her new book Love God, Heal Earth
January 09, 2009
Help the Pelicans
I have to admit - I play favorites sometimes, when it comes to seabirds. I have a strong affinity for pelicans. I have never seen a brown pelican I didn't like. There is something majestic, mysterious and magical about watching pelicans soar through the air. It is hard to beat!
The beautiful and endangered brown pelicans recovered in the 1970s after DDT was banned. However, as of January 8, 2009, they seem to be in trouble suddenly - flying off course, turning up on beaches with bruising on their pouches and feet, and testing positive for toxins in their systems. The International Bird Rescue Research Center is currently helping to rescue and treat at least 75 pelicans in this predicament, and more every day. You can visit their web site to learn more or even Adopt A Pelican. I just did. I wish I could adopt them all. Wishing the pelicans a speedy recovery. www.ibrrc.org
January 06, 2009
A Green Concert Starring My Mom
And now a word from one of our most ardent supporters - my mom - Helene Joseph-Weil. Some of you met my mother at the Gorgeous & Green event and were shocked to learn that she is an opera singer. Yes she is! And yes there was a great deal of singing at home growing up, and yes I can sing, a little. I can hit a soprano high C like a church mouse but can only reach the first or second pew. My mother, on the other hand, can fill an entire opera house with her magnificent voice, without a mic.
Having just returned from singing in Italy and winning a "Life For Music" award, my mother will be performing a wonderful concert of Schubert songs on Friday January 16 in San Francisco. It will feature two of the greatest things in life: nature and love. It turns out that famed Austrian composer Franz Schubert was one of the first members of the eco-glitterati. He composed more than 600 art songs, many about living in harmony with nature and receiving inspiration from the great outdoors. One can bet that he recycled in the early 1800s as well.
In addition, the pianist Hatem Nadim is one of the most talented I have heard in a long time. This dynamic duo will be performing twenty-four of Schubert's short songs including his famous Ave Maria. The concert is guaranteed to warm you up on a cold winter's night. We hope to see you there!
A Schubert Concert about Nature & Love
Helene Joseph-Weil, mezzo-soprano
Hatem Nadim, piano
Friday, January 16, 2009 at 8 pm
Old First Church
1751 Sacramento Street (at Van Ness), San Francisco, CA
415.474.1608
Discounted parking at Old First Garage at 1725 Sacramento St
$15 general admission
www.oldfirstconcerts.org
As seen in the San Francisco Chronicle this weekend!
January 05, 2009
State of Green Business Forum
Just how is green business proceeding these days? Who is moving and shaking, and what are the key lessons learned to date and the path to success in the future? Come find out at the 2009 State of Green Business Forum hosted by guru Joel Makower and the experts at GreenBiz.com. Topics will include green innovation as a business strategy, green jobs, water, and energy efficiency among others. At the Forum, receive the highly-acclaimed GreenBiz State of Green Business Report for 2009 - hot off the recycled press.
State of Green Business Forum
February 2, 2009
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
PG&E Auditorium, 245 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
Tickets are scarce and the 20%-off offer lasts through January 9th.
Register here
More businesses are finding that going green legitimately pays off in terms of higher profit margins from energy savings and waste savings, not to mention the customer goodwill it generates from helping the planet. But buyer beware - still ask the hard questions. I was in a store recently that shall remain nameless and asked where their furniture wood came from. The guy returned and exclaimed, "I think it is sustainable!" I made some follow-up inquiries, and it became clear that the furniture was likely being made in China from non-sustainable, clear-cut old growth hardwood from Indonesia. It was not Forest Stewardship Council certified, and it smelled like formaldehyde. It something smells that badly, you definitely do not want it. The nose knows. Simply asking questions is extremely helpful for the market because it shows that people care. Every store I go into, I ask nice and polite questions about where things are made and their materials. Try it and you will be amazed at the results - both bad and good.
Check out the highly-useful GreenBuzz page and newsletter from GreenBiz. If you want one source, this is it. Joel has been on the frontlines forever and his insights are always worth perusing. Check out also the GreenBiz Top 10 Most Popular Stories from 2008. Can you guess what the No. 1 story was? See you at the State of Green Business Forum
January 03, 2009
It's a Gorgeous & Green Wrap
Thank you all for making the Global Green Gorgeous & Green party at the Bently Reserve a huge success. It is officially a wrap.
The organic cocktails flowed, the eco-glamorous guests sparkled in multiple hues of green, the eco-chic fashion show rocked the house, the ecofabulous gift bags by Rickshaw were snatched up faster than the eye could see, the recycling and composting bins were in full effect (can you say 75% diversion rate), American Idol star Elliott Yamin wowed the crowd with acoustic renditions of One Word and Free, and eco-celebrity Kate Bosworth (pictured here with Global Green CEO Matt Petersen) was on hand to greet adoring fans and reporters and show that it really is easy, fun and gorgeous being green.
The event raised $225,000 for Global Green's efforts to rebuild New Orleans in a sustainable way and to build green affordable housing and green schools in Califonia and nationwide. That is a lot of green for green. We could not have done it without you, so thank you!
By popular demand, here are a few photos from the Gorgeous & Green Eco-Chic Fashion Show produced by designer Lily Achatz and Clarissa Nicosia, modeled beautifully and professionally by Star Models, and jettisoned into the stratosphere by DJ Donovan and his Kaskade-infused beats. As hard as a fashion show is to produce, it is always worth it when the models start strutting and you overhear a guest say, "I can't believe that is green." Proving this latter point are these glam eco-fashions by Cari Borja, Linda Loudermilk, Andira Rain Tees - Del Forte Denim - Platinum Dirt Jackets, Mika Machida, and the Thomas-Ray line for men. All bangles, baubles and beads were by Amber Marie Bently jewelry.
Note that the green-in-every-way carpet tiles on the runway were from SF Carpet Recycling and were discovered by the incomparable Matt Eastling. If you need a floor covering, try calling them. They for sure have carpet!
A big shout out to our sponsors who supported the planet and made Gorgeous & Green possible including PG&E, Rabobank, Wachovia, Liebherr Appliances, Google, and Sam Wyly. Here are a few more favorite photos from the night - one of Zem Joaquin with Elliott Yamin and another of Darren Moore working it in a vintage jacket.
All photos by the ultimate man-about-town Drew Altizer.
Press Links include:
GreenLoop In The Loop
SFGate exclusive on the Fashion Show
Innovative Fashion Council Blog
ABC7 View from the Bay TV Show
RedCarpetSF Video by Marybeth La Motte
Special thanks to the entire Global Green San Francisco Committee, to Cross Marketing, and to everyone who was involved (see post below) in making this Global Green event an amazing night for the planet. Until next year, be green and gorgeous! www.globalgreen.org
Gorgeous & Green Party
Dust off your eco party clothes, fire up that Tesla and get ready because Global Green’s Gorgeous & Green 2008 will be taking the planet by storm on December 2. A raging, hip, glamorous, conscious, ridiculously fun storm. Gorgeous & Green will be a star-studded event celebrating ecofabulous lifestyles featuring Kate Bosworth, the best organic foods and beverages, one rocking Eco-Chic Fashion Show, top eco-stylish products, and more with the who's who of green.
Global Green presents:
Gorgeous & Green 2008
WHEN:
Tuesday,
December 2, 2008
6:00 pm Patron Reception
7:30 pm Cocktail Party with VIP Lounges
8:30 pm Eco-Chic Fashion
Show
WHERE:
The historic LEED-certified Bently Reserve
301 Battery Street
San Francisco
FEATURING:
- Celebrity Guests
- Eco-Chic Fashion Show
- Musical performance by Elliott Yamin
- VIP Lounges
- Organic Cuisine by O Organics & Cavallo Point
- Eco-friendly Cocktails by VeeV & Square One Organic
Vodka
- Wine by Newton Vineyard
- Iron Horse Sparkling Wine
- MateVeza Beer, FOUR, EcoloBlue Water & Bionade
- LIVE Energy Drink
- Numi Tea and Thanksgiving Coffee
- Spa by Juice Beauty, Epi Center Med Spa, and International Orange
- Makeup by Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
- Music by DJ Donovan
- Glamorous Green Decor by Blueprint Studios
- Chocolates by TCHO, Coracao Confections, Come Hither cupcakes, and Just Desserts
- Greening by Greenhome.com
- Hotels by Kimpton EarthCare and Fairmont SF Green Suite
- Transportation by PlanetTran hybrid car service
- Musical performance by the hot band Bag of Toys
- Ecofabulous VIP Eco-Gift Bags with Sigg, Rickshaw Bagworks, Forty Oaks Farm, Greenopia, Duchess Marden, Pangea
- Special Thanks to PG&E, Rabobank, Wachovia, Liebherr, Sam Wyly, Google
DRESS: Cocktail attire or Luxury Eco
HONORARY HOSTS:
Kate
Bosworth, Daphne Zuniga, Elliott Yamin, Darren Moore, Sebastian Siegel, Mayor Gavin Newsom and other celebrity
guests
HOST COMMITTEE:
Co-Chairs: Zem Joaquin, Nadine Weil
Host Committee: Matt Petersen, Lily Achatz, Robyn
Beavers, Andrew Beebe, Brian Bunch, Scott Claxon, Emilie Cowan, Amy Darland,
Rachael Dorsey McGowen, Nellie Draganic, Mark Dwight, Matt Eastling, Justin Fichelson, Mike Freed, Alison Gelb Pincus,
Anthony Gilmore, Joel Goodrich, Moira Hanes, Jordan Harris, Lucas Heldfond,
Brandon Hernandez, Deirdre Holbrook, Marika Holmgren, Jonna Hunter, Bruce Katz,
Marco Krapels, CR Lipton, Janet Macgillivray Wallace, Monica Maduro, Clarissa
Nicosia, Carl Page, Gina Pell,
ECO-CHIC FASHION SHOW:
Enjoy an amazing eco-fashion show featuring designers who blend high style and sustainability including Bahar Shahpar, Cari Borja, Del Forte Denim, Eco
Citizen Boutique, EDUN, John Patrick Organic, Juleselin, Lara Miller, Larsen
Grey, Linda Loudermilk, Loomstate, Loyale, Lily Achatz, Livity, Sara Shepherd, Stewart+Brown, Thomas-Ray
Eccles. Shoes by Charmone, Cri de Coeur,
and Olsen Haus. Jewelry by Amber Marie
Bently. Hair by DiPietro Todd. Makeup by Jane Iredale. Models by Stars Model Management. Show Produced by Lily Achatz and Clarissa Nicosia.
RSVP:
310-581-2700
Reserve your spot at www.globalgreen.org/sf
ABOUT GLOBAL GREEN:
Global Green's mission is to create a global value shift toward a more secure
and sustainable future by working to mitigate global warming, expand green
building and green schools, eliminate weapons of mass destruction, and ensure
access to clean water. Global Green is the national arm of Green Cross
International, Mikhail Gorbachev's environmental organization. Global Green
hosts the Red Carpet Green Cars Campaign at the Oscars, and they are leading the green rebuilding of New Orleans with Brad Pitt. www.globalgreen.org
