Saturday

Happy Sustainable Holidays From Sen. Pavley

Snowflake Sustainability Award Snowflake
Pavley staffer Stephanie Molen presents Sustainability Award to Toyota Santa Monica GM Bill Rinker
Pavley staffer Stephanie Molen presents Sustainability Award to Toyota Santa Monica GM Bill Rinker

Each month I recognize a business, person or organization in my district that is dedicated to preserving our environment by living and working responsibly. This month I'm proud to announce that I presented an Environmental Sustainability Award to Toyota Santa Monica.

Bill Rinker, the General Manager of Toyota Santa Monica has shown forward thinking by installing the first open access electrical vehicle charging station in the nation. Anyone with a plug-in or hybrid vehicle manufactured in 2010 and beyond, will be able to drive up to Toyota Santa Monica to get charged. 

As the #1 Hybrid Dealer in the World Toyota Santa Monica has continued to accommodate and promote a sustainable environment. The dealership's dedication and commitment to resource conservation by purchasing policies, recycling, implementing operation changes that eliminate toxic chemicals, energy efficiency and water conservation is remarkable and an inspiration to other businesses in the 23rd Senate District.

Snowflake Help for the Holidays Snowflake
Weside Food Bank
 

If your family is one of the many struggling this holiday season, I would urge you to research the non-profits in your area that can help meet your needs. I have listed just a few of the many valuable organizations serving the residents of the 23rd Senate District.

Snowflake Inclusive Teaching at Chime Institute Snowflake
Sen. Pavley with Governor Schwarzenegger
Sen. Pavley with Governor Schwarzenegger

I had a wonderful time with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, first Lady Maria Shriver, Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, and other dignitaries at Chime Charter School in Woodland Hills recently as they announced that the new combined elementary and middle school will be renamed the CHIME Institute's Schwarzenegger Community School.

CHIME implements a unique co-teaching model where general and special education teachers plan, assess and instruct all students to provide targeted curriculum and learning experiences that meet the needs of all students. This co-teaching and collaborative related service model ensures these layers of instructional support benefit all students. CHIME Charter Elementary School was named "Charter School of the Year" by the California Charter School Association in 2005 and in the same year was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a leading model of inclusive education.

Snowflake Celebrating 10 Years of Green Entrepreneurial Leadership Snowflake
Sen. Pavley with E2 Co-Founder Nicole Lederer, Peter Lehner, Frances Beinecke, E2 Co-Founder Bob Epstein and NRDC Founder John Adams at the E2 10th anniversary gala
Sen. Pavley with E2 Co-Founder Nicole Lederer, Peter Lehner, Frances Beinecke, E2 Co-Founder Bob Epstein and NRDC Founder John Adams at the E2 10th anniversary gala

I was thrilled to take part in the 10th Anniversary celebration of Environmental Entrepreneurs, or E2, which is an organization affiliated with the Natural Resources Defense Council. E2's mission is to unite business leaders to advocate for good environmental policy. E2 was started in California by co-founders Bob Epstein and Nicole Lederer with a goal of driving environmental policies that make good economic sense. It was a visionary idea – promote environmental laws that are good for business. Bob and Nicole worked with me on my Clean Cars Bill (AB 1493) in 2002 and on my landmark Clean Energy Law (AB 32) in 2006. They also worked with me on my Alternative Fuels bill (AB 1007), and most recently on my Energy Improvement Financing Bill (SB 77). Congratulations on 10 productive years and many more to come!

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Environmental Champions Award by EWG

[From Sen.Pavley]

Environmental Champions Award Snowflake
Sen. Pavley’s Chief of Staff, Liz Fenton, with singer/songwriter/activist Bonnie Raitt at EWG awards ceremony. Photo courtesy of Claudine Gossett/Drew Altizer Photography
Sen. Pavley's Chief of Staff, Liz Fenton, with singer/songwriter/activist Bonnie Raitt at EWG awards ceremony. Photo courtesy of Claudine Gossett/Drew Altizer Photography

I was thrilled to be included with a list of dedicated lawmakers and public servants who were honored recently by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group with their 2010 Environmental Champions Award. My Chief of Staff, Liz Fenton, accepted the award for me. Other honorees included Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Senator Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), Lt. Governor – elect/outgoing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Debbie Raphael with the San Francisco Dept. of the Environment.

The following is from EWG:

Senator Fran Pavley While serving in the State Assembly, Pavley authored two landmark laws to combat climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions in California. In 2010, Pavley authored legislation that would have banned BPA in baby bottle, sippy cups, and food and formula containers. The bill failed on the Senate Floor in the last hours of the 2-year session after the chemical industry spent nearly $5 million on lobbyists. Also in 2010, Senator Pavley authored a bill which would ban the heavy metal cadmium in children's jewelry. This bill passed both houses and was signed by the Governor.

"While the commitment to public health and the environment may not be on the front burner in Washington these days, tonight's recipients are proof they are in California," said EWG president Ken Cook. "Taking on the chemical companies, bottled water makers and the wireless industry has proven to be a tough fight, but ones these folks aren't afraid to take on in the name of California's families."

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Thursday

Global Green Sustainable Design Awards, NYC

By: Alisa Ahmadian 

Global Green held its 11th Annual Sustainable Design Awards Ceremony on the picturesque Hudson River at Pier 60 in New York City.

eBay's John Donahoe

The event honored innovative leaders in bold environmental design that is transforming our international infrastructure for a greener future.Global Green is known for its pioneering policy and green building efforts in New Orleans post-Katrina. 


The night began with an intimate cocktail reception where guests mingled, enjoyed organic spirits and perused displays ranging from green building supplies to exotic vacations. Aside from event honorees, other attendees included Entourage star and environmental activist Adrien Grenier and actor Edward Norton, who told us that he supported Global Green’s work because “no one has done more than Global Green to re-build New Orleans sustainably.” Heatherette designer Richie Richalso attended the event as well as former Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Judith Light.

Global Green USA Sustainable Design Awards, Dec. 6th, 2010, NYC.

The evening moved on to the main event: a formal dinner, with tables beautifully decorated with potted plants and herbs and a delicious organic dinner.

Global Green CEO & President Matt Petersen served as the Master of Ceremonies for the night, introducing honorees including: 

• eBay Inc., John Donahoe, President & CEO – Organizational Design Award

• Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Sue Cischke, Group Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company – Product Design Award

• Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols– Entertainment Design Award

• Arianna Huffington, Co-founder & Editor-in-chief of Huffington Post – Media Design Award

• Wade Greene, Philanthropic Advisor to the Rockefeller Foundation- Policy Design Award

Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols
 Speaking about the successful launch of Huffington Post Green [of which Greening Hollywood was one of the foundational contributing columns], Arianna Huffington underlined the urgency of the launch, saying that “green is more important now than ever. Washington is full of ‘flat-earthers’ that are waging a war on science, evolution, everything.” Sam Champion of Good Morning America broke up the night with jokes, saying that he was “here to support Global Green, but I’m leaving soon to go to bed!” due to his 5 AM call time. 
Adrian Grenier


One Tree Hill co-stars Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols re-hashed their eye-opening trip to Louisiana following the BP oil spill this spring, telling us about the anger they felt when visiting beaches “that were totally controlled by BP-we felt like BP completely took over, and we wanted to do something about it.” Other honorees voiced similar passion and inspiration to make change, including Wade Green, a longtime anti-arms political advocate. Wade said that “after thirty years, I am still committed to working for solutions for peace on local, state and federal levels.” John Donahoe of eBay echoed the sentiment, stating that he is “constantly amazed by the power of the global community.”

Rounding out the inspiring evening, Matt Petersen took the stage once again to announce that over $400,000 had been raised during the event to benefit Global Green’s widespread international campaigns.

Sponsors of the event included Hotel Gavarni, Paris's first independent hotel to be European Ecolabel certified.

To learn more about Global Green, please visit http://www.globalgreen.org

Alisa Ahmadian works for Cook + Fox in environmental building and architecture in New York City. All photos credited to Alisa Ahmadian

 

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Tuesday

Event Alert! Charity:Water December 13 NYC

VIP RECEPTION.

Join John Slattery of Mad Men and founder Scott Harrison as they host an exclusive sneak peek at charity: ball 2010.

Specialty cocktails mixed by Master Alchemist Alex Ott. Whisky tasting offered by The Macallan. 


WHEN: December 13, 6:00 - 7:00
WHERE: Metropolitan Pavilion. 125 West 18th Street 

For Tickets:

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Green or Grey Fashion?

Cathy Amouroux is a 22 year old fashion designer and stylist living in Paris. She is a guest blogger for Greening Beauty. More at: at: www.cathyamouroux.fr

[Editor's Note: Use a web-based translator, such as Chrome, to read the article in English]


by: Cathy Amouroux

Mon cœur balance. Il est dur d’assouvir ses envies créatives tout en se demandant en permanence si notre démarche est responsable ou non.

Je me suis déjà intéressée à la mode équitable en travaillant avec Cruselita, jeune marque de bijoux et d’accessoires engagée dans la protection de notre environnement et des conditions de travail de ses fabricants. Cette démarche limite les possibilités créatives à cause du choix plus restreint des matières. Mais la beauté de l’enjeu compense largement cette réduction des moyens: les produits obtenus ont une richesse particulière que les produits classiques n’ont pas.

D’un autre côté je suis, je l’avoue, friande de la « grey fashion ». Lorsque je préparais ma dernière collection, je suis littéralement tombée sous le charme des fournisseurs Schoeller Textiles et American Supply. Loin des classiques sergés de coton, on trouve chez eux des matières exceptionnelles, des tissages et maillages hors du commun, et des couleurs absolument introuvables ailleurs. Je trouve que l’utilisation d’une de ces matières se suffit à elle même pour donner un cachet particulier à toute création.

Malheureusement, il y a de quoi se sentir coupable quand on achète de tels matériaux, car leur mode de fabrication est souvent polluant !

J’ai alors voulu me pencher sur la question suivante : peut-on trouver des textiles funs ET écologiques ?

Récemment encore, pour moi éco textiles évoquaient souvent monotonie et fadeur. Blanc, beige, kaki, marron…à des kilomètres de mon univers.

Je me suis alors dit que non, c’est impossible, les prouesses technologiques ne peuvent pas s’arrêter là. J’ai donc décidé de mener ma propre petite enquête auprès de mes deux favoris cités plus haut.

Après avoir pris rendez-vous avec Schoeller textiles, j’ai été chaleureusement reçue par Mme Emmanuelle Vallée-Beauvais, représentante du fournisseur en France.

Cette dernière m’a fait découvrir la gamme proposée par la société sœur de Schoeller appelée Bluesign, qui garantit le meilleur rapport entre technicité et respect de l’environnement. Et à ma grande surprise, je suis repartie avec une bonne dizaine d’échantillons incroyables sous le bras. En voici un aperçu:

PICTURES

Légende photo 1 : De la couleur et des surfaces surprenantes.

 Quant à mon deuxième favori American Supply, après quelques prises d’informations, j’ai découvert que la marque s’engage de plus en plus dans le respect de notre planète en consignant ses créations dans une charte de responsabilité environnementale.

Le fournisseur utilise en effet des plastiques végétaux recyclés ou recyclables, des colles végétales, ou encore des matériaux composites à base de déchets industriels détournés.

American Supply a également montré récemment son engagement en offrant sa créativité à la dernière campagne de publicité EcoFolio, l’éco-organisme des papiers qui organise, finance et accompagne la collecte, le tri et le recyclage des papiers.

Enquête conclue avec succès: le beau et l’extraordinaire peuvent aller dans le sens du respect et d’un engagement responsable.

Cathy Amouroux is a 22 year old fashion designer and stylist living in Paris. She has already worked alongside such fashion greats as: Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Maxime Simoens and also Ostwald Helgason in London. At the same time, she has been working on creating her own designs and imprinting her own aesthetics on her fashion collections. You can see more from Cathy at: www.cathyamouroux.fr

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