The power alert has been in effect since Monday. I received this message from the Flex Your Power initiative today:

Thanks to the remarkable conservation efforts of California
residents and businesses yesterday, more than 1,000 megawatts
of forecast usage was off-loaded from the grid, helping avoid
any electrical emergencies.

View energy demand graph: http://fypower.org/news/?p=1598

Because high temperatures are forecast to continue throughout
the state and region, California ISO has extended its declaration
of a Flex Alert into today (August 31), and it asks consumers
to conserve one more day, especially during the late afternoon
peak demand period.

For continuing coverage, visit the Power Plug Blog:
http://www.fypower.org/news/

View the full California ISO press release:
http://www.caiso.com/1c4a/1c4af13c2c080.pdf (PDF document)

Please take action to conserve energy:

- Turn off all unnecessary lights
- If you must use an air conditioner, turn it up to 78 degrees or
higher
- Postpone using major appliances until after 7:00 PM

Thank you for continuing to flex your power!

At least it's working. I will continue to bear the hot nights as best as I can knowing conservation efforts do help on a local level. Maybe I'll sleep better one of these days. The heat makes it hard to catch some good shut-eye, doesn't it? Happy three-day weekend everyone and happy summer (yawn!)

Labels: environmental, local

Last night around 9:00pm the power on my street went down. Just one side of the street, no streetlights, just dark houses. The chatter of the TVs and air-conditioner hums were silenced. But not for long. Before I could dig around for the flashlights and candles (I had to search my way around my apartment with the little light from my cell phone) the power came back on. But not at full power. Just eerily dim like some grid monkey had his hand on a giant lever and thought, "I'll give 'em just a little juice to start with and see how things hold." The lights flickered from dim to full in my apartment and my neighbors' until 10:00 when the power went out again. This time I ran for sanctuary in a glass of Pinot at Cliff's Edge. A couple hours later I came home to the AC and TV buzzing again. Everything seems to be working as normal now.

Today I got on the phone with LA DWP. They're a private run company - mind you, not part of the city. They've got a lot of helpful energy saving tips on their website and sponsor some good Green LA programs. I was immediately directed to an automated menu and chose to report a power outage. After more menu choices I was led to an operator who requested my information - account #, phone #, zip code and then was able to explain LA's policy of "Brown-outs". What in fact had happened last night was so minor it hadn't even registered on the the power grid as a failure. Power has to be out for over an hour to register as a Black-Out. She told me often in the summertime when everyone's running their AC units the power system makes adjustments and re-sets itself. The dim lights and the flickering would indicate a Brown-Out where the grid conserves energy in some areas to provide energy to others.

So now the question stands.... it's obviously un-environmentally sound to have so much power running nightly. The dimming and flickering lights points to an indication of grid drain. The nights are not getting cooler. I'm not missing another episode of Top Chef. What can I do?

I went to Treehugger.com. They provide tips for Green living. To conserve electricity they suggest putting your house on a diet. Do an energy self audit. Treehugger tells you briefly how to do one or our very own LA DWP walks you through it on their site. After an energy audit, like a weigh in before you hire the personal trainer, you can buy some compact fluorescent bulbs. They don't suck up as much energy. There are some super cheap and super nice ones at IKEA right now. Warning: They function a little differently than regular light bulbs. Their wattage is dimmer and there will be a slight delay, like old school fluorescent bulbs, but without that horrible green color and buzzing noise that makes you feel like you work in the office from Joe Vs. The Volcano.

You probably knew that already. But I don't think most of us know that our basic wall-socket items pull energy even when turned off. The rule is if they're plugged in, they're plugged in to the grid, especially electronic items in stand-by (like a Tivo box). Power strips are a good tip. You simply plug all your daily appliances into one and then switch it off when not in use, like when you go to bed. Some genius made Smart Power Strips that go down automatically when the items plugged in to them go idle.

The power bill savings is their big seller. Those of us that live in little apartments don't feel a huge electric bill during LA's harsher months so it's not really an incentive. I often hear renters say they don't care about leaving their lights on when they leave the house because the bills are covered by their landlord. LA probably will have to go back to rolling blackouts if we don't do something. Right now it's inconvenient, but anyone can tell you who lived in the valley two years ago how fun it was to run from supermarket to supermarket to find out who's power had gone down and who's food had gone bad when the rolling Black-Outs were mandatory. I will say that it's usually the little inconveniences that indicate a bigger problem, or a problem on the horizon. Brown-Outs here and there today, utter power failures tomorrow. I better get some more candles.

Today I also joined the Flex Your Power Flex Alert Notification Network. Flex Alert is not a private company but statewide campaign initiated in 2001. Flex Alerts were started in 2004 to alert homes and businesses when their areas were in a Stage 1 Electrical Emergency. A Stage 1 Emergency is simply defined as times when energy needs reach their peaks - typically hot summer days. So all you gotta do is sign up and alerts get emailed or texted to your cell phone when the alert is on. Then you follow 3 simple steps.


I see the goal as using these steps whenever possible. To join the network, you just spread the word to your business. I'm pledging to do the same to my neighbors and friends. When the heat gets to be too much and you can't bear to turn down your AC, then take a walk with me. We'll grab a glass of wine. Then wait for the day when the power comes back on.


Check out how much power California is using this very moment at the CA ISO Status Monitor.

Labels: environmental, local

This all ages event rages from 6:00pm to 6:00am. The FREE all night happening features ambient music galore, video projections, and a slew of DJs. Bring chairs, blankets and pillows to lie out on the cement and experience all the magic.

If you're not in a festival state of mind drop by to find out what Farm Lab is all about. They're probably one of the most important cultural groups in the City of LA. Since the shutdown of the downtown Corn Fields, they've continued exploring sustainable eco living in an urban environment. Farm Lab's latest community outreach projects include making garden boxes, they call them Ag Bins, for Skid Row so the homeless population can grow their own food and even beautify their street corners. Farm Lab Under Spring provides an art space in hope of community building and cultural change. Located under a bridge on the LA River, every person who visits the site grasps what a truly diverse environment LA is and the worth of what it means to protect it.




Here's the list of the performers for Saturday night/ Sunday morning:

DUBLAB DJS & FRIENDS

Hoseh (Headspace, KXLU)
Morpho
Frosty
Ale
MatthewDavid
Part Time Punks DJ Michael Stock
J.Mendez (Cytrax/Sandwell District)
Farzad Moghaddam (WRAS, Atlanta)
Farbod Kokabi (WRAS, Atlanta)

LIVE SETS UNDER THE STARS

Dntel
Languis
Tropic of Cancer
smgsap

LIVE NATURE SOUND DUETS CURATED BY CARLOS NINO

Mia Doi Todd and Andres Renteria
Adam Rudolph and Ralph "Buzzy" Jones
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Peter Jacobson
Adventure time (Daedelus & frosty)
Carlos Nino & Gaby Hernandez

PROJECTIONS PROVIDED BY

Carolina Chaves and Ben Loiz
the Labrat Matinee
the Masses


Saturday, Aug. 4 6:00pm - 6:00am
Tonalism
Farm Lab Under Spring
1745 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, 90012

Labels: environmental, events, freebies, music

The Live Earth concert over the weekend sure got my environmentally conscious pals and I worked up. Maybe we would have been more supportive if the acts were anyone worth wild but John Mayer's poo-face (the face he makes when he hits those cringe-inducing cliche guitar notes) started a rant about how un-environmental a giant concert is. Apart from the obvious waste and litter large stadium shows make, a friend of mine brought up that an Internet streamed concert from around the world would be just as effective, possibly "revolutionary", and a much smaller carbon footprint than planes for the artists and fans to fly to Tokyo, for example. From an environmental design perspective I was really unimpressed by the tire wall for the U.S. show. The "recycled-chic" look got lost when I started to think about the amount of energy needed to transport old tires and then attach them to a giant wall. And it doesn't look any better than Fat Albert and the Junkyard Gang's clubhouse.

Kelly Clarkson gets down with tires [via liveearth.msn.com].


Repetition with re-used or recycled materials is a signature green look - from seat belt purses to crochet plastic bag bags. The best looking example of this I saw today via sub-studio design blog. The Vintage Belt Floor Mat by Branch is awfully pretty. Made completely out of discarded men's leather belts, it makes quite the statement piece for your floor not to mention all the color variation from years of wear and fade would match most decors. And like signature green products it'll put you in credit card debt faster than you can download the Live Earth concert.


Never lacking at the local thrift stores, I'm confident a rip-off version could be made from old belts and a lot of leather glue. Branch's creation in fact is made just like that - belts glued onto "reconstituted leather backing". A bad suede jacket plus your dad's hand-me-downs could equal similar results, or at least a couple trivet trays. You'll need leather shears and strong glue which can be found at fabric or upholstery stores.

Labels: design, DIY, environmental

As of today these three paintings were seen by 16,000 people. 30 days after the art opening this Saturday this art will be viewed 7 million times.

Those are the stats from the 3rd "Off The Wall" show of original works on reclaimed billboard vinyl. And this year for the first time 5 actual billboards will hang around the city in the usual places you find billboards. It's a win-win situation: new artist's work gets seen and one gallery makes an environmental statement. They've reclaimed 10,000 square feet of billboard vinyl that would normally end up decomposing in a landfill. Peter Schulberg, creator of the Non-profit Eco-Logical Art group, refers to the billboard waste as "heavy, ink impregnated material.. an environmental nightmare". He calls the billboards LA's first "drive-through art gallery".

[From the Eco-Logical Art website]:
By definition Eco-LogicalART works are cutting edge and provocative. With original billboard elements peeking through, then artist re-envisioned, the pieces recalibrate the old question with a new eco-answer-- offering neither art nor commerce, but art from commerce. Dynamic and aesthetically pleasing as they are, the works offer something more-- the feel good satisfaction of knowing that a landfill, somewhere, is a little less full because of the art hanging on your wall.

Over 40 artists with brand new works will be there, including Maximillian Buschman who showed his colorful paintings at Night Hawks last Monday.

The opening takes place Earth Day Eve.
Saturday, Apr. 16
Off The Wall 3
6:00-11:00pm
Eco-Logical Art Gallery
4829 West Pico Blvd.
LA 90019
310.525.0676

Exhibition and billboards will be up 'til May 20th.


Details of the three paintings seen on above billboard:

Labels: art, environmental, events

The meadow area has been behind the fence as long as any of you can remember. As the Silver Lake Reservoir continues its development into a positive public park space, this second phase includes the opening of the reservoir's meadow. This Saturday, The Committee to Save Silver Lake's Reservoirs hosts a groundbreaking ceremony on the meadow with Earth Day themed celebrations. Guesses are out there as to whether pieces of chain link will be given away when the wall comes down.


The opposition is out there. Last weekend a bunch of nasty sounding fliers went up near the 7-11 on Silver Lake Blvd. calling for a call-off of the meadow opening. The concerns included the increase of traffic, decrease of parking spaces, increase of noise and loitering. It sounds like some fearful neighbors to me. It must be nice to live in one of those big lakeside houses but it's also nice to have more park space. Silver Lake is a neighborhood that suffers L.A.'s epidemic of lack of public parks. The national standard of parks per person ratio is 6.25 acres for very 1,000 residents. Here in Silver Lake we've got a mere 0.35 acres per 1,000 residents. The meadow is 6 more precious acres of existing park space.



There are still chances to voice your opinions at the event. The reservoir project's landscape designers will be on hand to present the entire new meadow park and answer concerns before the meadow officially opens.

Silver Lake Meadow Groundbreaking & Speakout
Saturday, Apr. 21
9:00-11:00am

Directions:
Going north on Silver Lake Blvd from Sunset, the Meadow is located on the west side of the street, just before SLB turns sharply to the right (east) to intersect with Glendale Boulevard.
Parking is limited so please carpool, walk, or bike if possible. The nearest transit is MTA Line 92 @ Glendale & SLB. (message from CSSLR)

Labels: environmental, events, local

I didn't pick up the March issue of Los Angeles Magazine because Christina Ricci was on the cover. I had to have it because of the 25 easy tips they detail on how to live more environmentally aware. I agree, living green should be more than a trend. We all need to examine and make changes in our daily routine in order to conserve the precious resources we have. Mainly that just means treating resources preciously. The drought scare and rolling blackouts got Angelenos off their complacent couches but really it's all in the prevention and setting an example can sometimes be the most effective. The office nags getting everyone to recycle was just the start. I'd like to share and elaborate on some of LA magazine's 25 Ways to Go Green Without Going Insane.

#1. Tune Out, Turn Off
Your electrical devices are still on even when they're in standby - in fact, that's the definition of standby. So until you unplug it from the wall, your microwave, computer, TV set, are all sucking off the power grid. Get in the habit of using power surge protectors with the on/off switch. Every time you're going to be away from your house for a while you can just turn off the switch. Your power bill will thank you - especially crucial to you penny pinchers since LA DWP just raised all their rates.

#2. Clean Kindly
Traditional dry cleaning methods are heinous. The chemicals used to treat your delicate suits and treasured blouses are carcinogenic. That means poison in the air, on your clothes/skin and on the hands of the people who treat it for you. California has already pledged to phase out those chemicals by 2023 but there are alternative methods all around town. The South Coast Air Quality Management District lists a bunch of cleaners who have already adopted nontoxic liquids. I've also gotten into the habit of searching advice websites like About.com on alternative cleaning methods. I found out washing silk by hand in a little bit of water and biodegradable soap is actually better for the material. This goes the same for natural fabrics that require delicate care like wools and cottons. Consult the fabric's labels before tossing everything off at your dry cleaners.

Ask.com and websites of the like also feature alternative uses for all kinds of nasty household cleaning products. Baking soda and vinegar top the list of a natural non-toxic clean all solution. A good rule of thumb is that if the odor of the cleaning product is too strong, or the label has a long list of warnings and side effects, you don't want it in your house and your air. Find something gentle.

#3. Plant a Tree.
Simple. If every American family planted a single tree the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would be reduced by a billion pounds a year. We'd also save $234 billion in environmental and health care costs. Thanks to Tree People and LA's Plant A Million Trees program, you can request a free tree from the city. Just email milliontrees@hbteam.com.
Also be aware when someone wants to remove trees. We can even out the carbon footprint by keeping the ones we already have. Tree People can help you with advocacy plans when new building developments pop up and tress come down.

#4. Bypass the Trash.
More free stuff from the city? No way. But it's true. Most communities offer free classes and resources for composting. The City of LA Bureau of Sanitation gives composting workshops and discounted compost bins to take home with you. The next class is April 28 at Griffith Park.

Anyone with a garden would be foolish not to compost. In less than a year you'll have all the nutrient rich soil you'll need not to mention you can reuse the seeds from your own crops. You'll never be wasting a trip to Home Depot ever again.

#5. Save Water
LA is a semiarid desert. Do not let the coastline fool you. The biggest way to save water in your house (besides turning off the faucet and fixing all leaks) is flushing your toilet. Or not flushing. The editor of treehugger.com employs the if it's yellow let it mellow method. That's the cheapest habit to pick up - or invest in a low-flow toilet. Low-flow means 1.6 gallons or less a flush. A standard top-loader can use up to 9 gallons per cubic foot per flush. That's like the equivalent to letting the hose run wild on the sidewalk for 15 minutes. Low-flow toilets are a standard choice now in most hardware stores and showrooms.

Skipping ahead...

#10 Waste Not.
Filling your recycling bins with plastic bottles is just plain silly. You may think, but I'm recycling, when in actuality your water bottle habit takes up valuable sorting time at the recycling plant and often ends up in landfills anyway. Re-fill as often as possible. Plastic breaks down after a while escpeically when in the sun or in the fridge so you may want to purchase a glass or aluminum bottle. Get a couple from a local camping store. You can keep one in your car, one at your office, and one in your kitchen if you're concerned you'll lose it or not use it.

Another recycle bin clogger is paper, paper, and more paper. Make a resolution right now to make less trash. Buying pre-packages food is a waste. Look for food that doesn't need a bag, a tray or a box to keep it fresh. Trader Joe's cloth bags are great for carrying your groceries if you don't already re-use their paper ones. Their plastic wrapped vegetables are not so great.

If Junk mail seems to take up the bulk of your bin you can request to be removed from mailing lists by contacting the Direct Marketers Association. They have a simple online form but do require a $1 processing fee. Removing yourself can cut back on those pesky telemarketing calls too.

#13. Return to The Natives
One of the best things about living in California is the abundance of native plants. They're as hearty as they are pretty. Planting non-native species just require more water, more time, so more precious resources. I've never met a SoCal landscaper who doesn't offer a low-maintenance native plant garden. Most garden blogs, like Domino Mag's Germanatrix, offer great tips.
FYI: most palm tress are not native to LA but a lot of succulents are. Go to the cactus section first in your garden store before looking at those non-drought resistant expensive flowers.

#17 Clean Your Wheels
Can't clean commute quite yet? I feel your pain. Maintaining your car, hopefully it's a lightweight low emissions/high gas mileage model already, is the next best thing. If your car is not running at its most efficient 'cuz you've got too much junk in the trunk or your tires are low, you're crippling yourself. Your air filter should always be clean too and regular tune ups must happen as often as your oil changes.

#20 Heat Less Water
Contrary to what your grandmother might have told you, hot water does not get you and your clothes cleaner. Detergents kill the germs. So washing your clothes on the cold cycle is not a bad thing. Ridiculously hot showers also do not provide the health benefits past generations preached. Hot water on cold skin actually dries you out faster. Get yourself a good loofah some eco-friendly lotion and learn to love the warm bath. Hot is not necessary and in fact the most wasteful aspect of your already wasteful home water heater. Concerned about your roommates or apartment sharers? Just turn down the water heater a notch at a time. In a while you (and your neighbors) will never know the difference until you get your next power bill.

LA Mag also suggests maximizing the water heater's efficiency with an insulating jacket. Or just toss the thing for a tankless system. The Gas Company will even give you a rebate if your water tank is more than 10 years old. If it is, you better toss it anyway. The old models are just energy suckers.

For all 25 tips pick up the Los Angeles Magazine before it leaves the newsstand (you can spot it 'cuz Christina Ricci is on the cover) or check out any of the environment friendly sites listed above. The green trend has been out there, now we have to be discerning and spot the best use of our resources.

Labels: environmental, newsworthy, shopping

I like reminiscing what making Friday night plans were like before cellphones. You had to actually make plans. If you invariably got stuck in traffic one evening and missed a movie, life would go on. But you would still be inclined to go to the theater to meet your date and apologize in person. Nowadays whenever I make plans to hang out with someone it's never for a specific time. It's always just, "Call me on my cell when you get there."

On a related plane of thought, imagine your day without a computer. What would happen to the world if for just 24 hrs. you shutdown your computer? International Shutdown Day asks you to participate in just such an experiment. And while holding it on a Saturday seems a little weak (most bosses would shoot someone during the week if they missed replying to an email) I applaud their efforts from a purely environmental stance. California's powergrid will breathe a heavy sigh of relief once you actually unplug your appliances from the wall.

The comments on Shutdown Days' site are definitely revealing to the state of international computer users. Most people's first responses are "do video games count?" And if asked what they'll do on the day they say "go outside". As if the outdoors are eliminated from your daily activities when you can stay online all day.

In the words of Le Tigre, encourage all your agoraphobic friends to "Get off the Internet!"
If just for one day.

Labels: environmental, politics

This morning at Egret Park Mayor Villarogioa and Councilman Reyes unveiled the LA River Revitalization Plan.

Workshops have been held over the last 16 months to determine a plan to green 32 miles of the LA river that flows through downtown. Now included in the Revitalization Plan are processes to modify the river's channel itself in order to sustain a healthy environment. Along with the city identifying flood concerns, there's also a sensitivity to urban development along the river. A plan to make a walking path along the river has been in the works since the mid 90s with controversy but ultimately good intentions.
Contrary to what the Mulhollands made Angelenos think, the LA river has always been a natural waterway, dry in the summer and protecting from floods during the rain. Many neighborhoods can benefit from a revitalization in the forms of parks and prettier scenery but everyone especially benefits from an environment protected from over-development and species degradation.

You can voice your opinions and hear more info at these upcoming hearings sponsored by The City Project.

Saturday, February 24, 2007:
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Hollenbeck Middle School
2510 E. 6th St., Boyle Heights

Tuesday, February 27:
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Canoga Park High School Auditorium
6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park

Wednesday, February 28:
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Metropolitan Water District Board Room
700 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles

Labels: environmental, local, politics

This past November the 32 acres of downtown Los Angeles known as The Cornfields was saved from building development once more thanks to the City Project.
I thank the City Project for providing me with these eye-opening facts:
- In Los Angeles, children of color living in poverty with no access to cars have the worst access to parks and recreation.
- Too many people live more than half a mile from the nearest park throughout the region of Los Angeles.
- Children of color disproportionately live in the California state assembly districts with the highest levels of child obesity and the worst access to parks and recreation. The levels of obesity are intolerably high for children throughout the region ranging from 23% to 40%.
- This is the first generation in the history of the country in which children will have a lower life expectancy than their parents if present trends in obesity and other diseases related to inactivity continue.

The City Project calls on a new form of social action: to Green LA. In the past six years, The City Project has spearheaded efforts to create new urban parks; to establish schools as centers of their communities; and to influence the investment of billions of dollars for public works projects in under-served communities.

The Daily Breeze reported:

"Robert Garcia, executive director of the City Project, a nonprofit group that focuses on parks, health and transit issues for low-income Los Angeles residents, said a pedestrian trail and bus route should link [the Los Angeles State Historic Park] with El Pueblo to the south, and another state park planned on the east bank of the Los Angeles River to the north. 'They should not be treated as isolated, separate parks but as one continuous parkway system,' he said... 'This is a wonderful opportunity. Los Angeles is hungry for its history."

Other victories for the group include preserving El Rio de Los Angeles State Park at Taylor Yard, 2 square miles of Baldwin Hills Park, and a dedicated 100 acres to Ascot Hills Park in East L.A. Their goals for next year include: to influence billions of dollars from resource bonds passed in November 2006 for parks, schools, housing, transit, clean water, and local jobs, to restore the Great Wall of Los Angeles, to Build an urban environmental movement that puts children and families first, and serves the needs of Latinos and diverse communities in ways no one else has. What does that mean? It means they hold politicians like Villaraigosa and Schwarzenegger to their word when they pass Green bills. It means there are organizations out there who care more about the cultural impact of development in Los Angeles than loft space.
It may be a tad late for year-end tax deductions but you can give to The City Project here.

Labels: environmental, local, politics

Before I get started with the holiday shopping guides, I'd like to offset the large amount of consuming done this time of year by supporting a worthy challenge. The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday because that's the day the major department stores get out of the red due to all the sales on the first official holiday shopping day. What was once the day where you could get that item on little Timmy's list for a bargain has turned into the biggest display of Americans as consumption fanatics. It's been reported that this year the stores will open even earlier, some right at 12:01 am the get the shopping started with a bang. Across the country people will finish stuffing themselves with turkey and stuffing and then head out to the malls to wait in line through the night in order to be the first people through the doors. In past years, people have been trampled on Black Friday, anxiety and heart attacks are not uncommon by shoppers and store staff alike. Adbusters urges us to stop the mass consumption all together. I like a good deal myself and know that Black Friday is not the only day to get it nor is a giant department store the only place to find gifts. So the plan is simple. On November 24 buy nothing. My mom and I have celebrated in the past by sleeping in late, eating thanksgiving leftovers and going for a hike. Other buy nothing supporters across the country are reporting this year to cut up credit cards or dress up as zombies and parade the mall with the legions of mindless shoppers. There are many reasons for joining in. Off-set what may go down as the year global warming really hit. Escape the marketing mind games brought on by commercials and embrace your own holiday vision. Be it a non-stressed day at home with the fam, or a full-on protest assault, the biggest pay-off is to keep the Buy Nothing Day spirit in your heart year round and make responsible purchases if you must purchase at all.

More Info at Adbusters.org

For a great Buy Nothing Day Commercial click here.

Labels: environmental, politics, shopping

The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council is holding a town hall style meeting tonight in conjunction with the other East LA neighborhoods to speak out about the city's new budget plans for the coming year. Hosted by The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and the Office of the Mayor, this community forum hopes to give neighborhood voices a chance to be heard. The city will outline their plan for next year, probably cutting the budget drastically. This is every local's chance to add what's missing to the city's outlook for 2007 or remove measures. If you can't make the meeting but would like to express your opinion take the mayor's survey. It's very straight-forward and enlightening to know what the city thinks should be its major improvements including fair housing, transportation, environmental protection, and security. The survey takes less than 10 minutes and appears to be a good way to make a little dent in the system before the system dents you.

Tuesday Nov. 14
6:30-9:00pm
Glassell Park Community Center (in the Public Storage building at 3750 N. Verdugo Rd. and Eagle Rock Blvd.)
From Silver Lake, take the 2 and exit Eagle Rock Blvd. and you'll see the building. There's plenty of parking.

Labels: environmental, local, politics

I love this idea - A free concert in the beautiful Union Train Station but it's only free if you ride public transportation to the concert. It's called Public Displays of Affection hosted by non-profit activist group Global Inheritance. They plan to do a handful at Union Station in the next coming months - tomorrow night's inauguration kicks off with Secret Machines and DJ Shepard Fairey (of OBEY fame). There will also be a photography show by Mark Hunter aka CobraSnake, showcasing LA's public transportation. Remember, you can only get in with a bus or subway ticket purchased the day of the concert not originating from Union Station. (No cheating!) Catch the stops here:

Coming from Silverlake
Take the Metro Red Line from the corner of Vermont & Sunset Eastbound to Union Station

Coming from Los Feliz
Take 180 Bus Westbound to Hollywood/Vine Station then take the Metro Red Line Eastbound to Union Station

Coming from USC
Take the 38 Bus Eastbound from the corner of Figueroa and Jefferson exit Chezar Chaves/Union Station Stop

Coming from the Pomona area
Take the MetroLink Riverside Eastbound exit Union Station

Coming from the Irvine area
Take the MetroLink Orange County Line Northbound to Union Station

Coming from Sherman Oaks
Take the 750 Bus from Ventura Blvd to Universal Station and then take the Metro Red Line eastbound to Union Station.

Coming from Pasadena
Take the Metro Gold Line Southbound to Union Station.

Coming from Arcadia
Take the 78/79/378 Bus line to Union Station

Public Displays of Affection Los Angeles - The Secret Machines & Shepard Fairey
Tuesday, October 24 7:30-10:30pm
Union Station
800 N. Alameda
Los Angeles, California

Metro info

Labels: environmental, events, music

Too bad it's not real.

By Damien Goodman - look for his full scale campaign soon to make this vision a reality for all commuters.
Thanks green LA girl.

Labels: environmental, local, random

Coming soon! A post on the benefit of indoor plants. Until then, pick up a couple beauties at Trader Joe's. A pretty little succulent in a ceramic pot might set you back a pretty penny at the popular garden shops in Los Feliz. At TJ's you can choose from several species and colors for $3.99 each. I placed this little group of three on my office desk. It gives the bland fluorescent space a slightly zen garden feel.

Succulents (like cactus but cuter) are very easy to care for. Look for hearty leaves and stalks that can withstand most lighting conditions and don't take much water. If they're spending their life inside, water only when the soil has completely dried out. Make sure you take them out of their lovely ceramic pots and run water through the plastic pots, which definitely need to have holes for drainage. A good drain will feed all the nutrients through the plant. A desert plant, these babies do love the sun. If you're not lucky enough to have a window office (like me) give them exposure whenever possible. I'm lugging mine home over the weekend where they vacation on my front porch. If they don't last I'll just head back to the grocery stand and replace them. They'll at least have a longer shelf life than cut flowers.

Labels: DIY, environmental, shopping