Cleantech Connect Creates World of Connections

Cleantech Conference & Expo  June 18-21, 2012 - Santa Clara, CA  Click Here for Discount Registration Code

by Paige Donner

As an exhibitor at this year’s TechConnect Summit, Pixelligent Technologies has found that participating in this annual event has its payoffs. Craig Bandes, CEO of Pixelligent and a presenter at TechConnect Ventures for multiple years, says that, “We started looking for conferences that were focusing on nanotechnology about 3 years ago and TechConnect was the largest gathering of potential partners and vendors that we could find in North America.  We have presented in the Innovation Showcase for the past 2 years and will present again this year.  TechConnect has proven to be our most productive conference of the year.”

Not just the private sector but the public sector as well stands to gain through strategic attendance and participation at TechConnect Summits, this year’s held in the San Francisco Bay Area, a geographic zone that has proven attractive in particular to nanotechnology start-ups and companies. Dina Lozofsky, who also serves on the TehcConnect Advisory Committee in addition to her role as Sr. Licensing Officer at UC Santa Barbara, says that, “At Tech Connect I have made many good contacts at the event that have proven to be valuable for pursuing my organization's goals.  Tech Connect has also given us good opportunities to showcase our technologies available for licensing and our startups the opportunity to present to potential partners and investors.”

Can participants look for tangible outcomes from attending or exhibiting at Cleantech Connect Summits? I posed this question to Didier Leconte, President and General Manager at MSBi Valorisation and formerly with Univalor. His response bears testimony to several concrete outcomes from his experiences: “I met several representatives from companies during my first TechConnect Summit (and then after) and ultimately signed a commercialization agreement with one, in addition to developing long lasting relationships.” He added that he thinks “the location this year represents a great opportunity to network in the Bay area.”

Can exposure to a large array of participating companies at a summit like TechConnect World be potentially beneficial? Yes and no seems to be the answers, with an emphasis on potential. For example, University of Minnesota’s Leza Besemann, a Technology Strategy Manager and also on the TechConnect Advisory Committee, says that, “TechConnect provides a great venue to not only promote our available technologies but also to get market feedback and input on the commercial viability of these technologies.” And on the subject of leveraging networking opportunities presented by Summit participation, she says, “We obtained contacts at large companies such as Dow, Honda and Kodak that were potential licensees for our technologies.” She added that they are looking forward to the Innovation Summit,  “which is yet another opportunity to increase awareness of the University of Minnesota and our technologies.”

Boris Kobrin, CEO and Co-Founder of Rolith, Inc. had a different take-away: “We participated in TechConnect in 2011. Except a few new contacts no positive outcomes we have seen so far. Even personal meetings requested by 2 corporate partners (Dow and Lockheed) were not useful at all.” However, Rolith will be participating again at this year’s summit and Kobrin says that some of the highlights that keep him coming back are the exposure to the other participating companies that “positively impact our fundraising and partnership-building activities,” and the requests for meetings from two corporate partners - Applied Materials and SK Innovation.

Paige Donner is the Founding Editor of the Green Blog Network. The Green Blog Network is an official Media Partner of TechConnect World Summit 2012.

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Cleantech Connect Creates World of Connections

Cannes Film Festival Photos (from Bulgari)

Cannes, France May 25th – the following celebrities wore Bulgari jewelry at the 2012 amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 24th, 2012 in Cap D'Antibes, France.

•         Petra Nemcova

 ·          Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

 ·          Julianna Margulies

Petra wore a white gold and diamond necklace, diamond stud earrings and a white gold, diamond and ruby ring, all from Bulgari’s High Jewelry Collection

Aishwarya wore a yellow gold, emerald, ruby and diamond ring from Bulgari’s High Jewelry Collection

 

Julianna wore a white gold, diamond and mother of pearl ring and white gold, diamond and mother of pearl earrings , both from Bulgari’s High Jewelry Collection

 

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Cannes Film Festival Photos (from Bulgari)

Cannes Report: Eva Longoria & Denise Rich Hosted Charity Event

EVA LONGORIA & DENISE RICH HOSTED

CANNES CHARITY EVENT SPONSORED BY FREDERIQUE CONSTANT, THE-SPHERE.COM & RAFFLES MEMBERS CLUB

An Elegant & Star-Studded Evening Benefiting the Eva Longoria Foundation & Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation

“Luxury also means having the opportunity to contribute to helping those in need, as has Eva Longoria for many years. We totally share her values and we do everything in our power to support her.” – David Manoukian – Founder of The-Sphere.com.

WHERE:         The Lady Joy – Rich’s personal yacht

 Celebrity attendees included: Eva Longoria, Denise Rich, Diddy, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Cavalli, Michelle Rodriguez, Goga Ashkenazi, Fawaz Gruosi, Cassie, Amaury Nolasco, Tara Reid and many more.

ABOUT THE EVA LONGORIA FOUNDATION:

The Eva Longoria Foundation was established in 2010 by actress, activist and philanthropist Eva Longoria. This foundation has been established primarily for, but not limited to, two charitable causes: women in the Latino community and children. Our vision is to give women and girls the tools they need to reach their potential. The Eva Longoria Foundation supports programs that help girls excel in school and attend college. Additionally, we work to provide female entrepreneurs with career training, mentorship, capital and opportunity. By investing in women and girls, we hope to build a stronger future for our world. For more information, http://www.evalongoriafoundation.org/.

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Cannes Report: Eva Longoria & Denise Rich Hosted Charity Event

Constructing a Sustainable Future

by Kristie Lewis [Guest Blogger]

Top 3 Green Building Materials

For some time now our society has been leading an environmental revolution. We are dedicated to finding better more sustainable ways to live our lives on this precious Earth. 

One area of green initiative that has seen significant advancement in the last several years is green building and green construction. When constructing a building we must consider the location of the building, the actual construction of the building, the use of natural amenities, the types of materials used, and many more things to ensure that that structure truly promotes environmental and ecological sustainability. One of the most essential aspects of creating an environmentally conscious structure depends on the sustainability and "green-ness" of the building materials at use. There are numerous options available for the materials a builder, architect, and designer will use in a structure from the actual structural elements to the decorative elements of a space. These building materials are three of the greenest options out there. 

Managed Forest Wood

Real hard wood and specific wood color make a huge different to a designer's eye. For this reason, hardwood remains one of the most common and popular choices for many building elements from floors to ceiling rafters. Managed forest wood means that trees are planted and harvested like crops. We harvest select sizes of trees and carefully leave large areas undisturbed in growth areas. This prevents us from cutting down whole rainforests and disrupting entire ecosystems. 

Recycled Glass

Recycled glass provides a beautiful option for many design and architectural elements of a building. Many "green" houses use recycled glass tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. With such a huge amount of glass waste collected every year, just putting that material back into use improves our environment. 

Bamboo

Bamboo has become a hot design option for builders and designers throughout the world in recent years. Because bamboo grows so quickly and easily (in basically any climate), it is an extremely sustainable material. Bamboo is extremely strong and looks a lot like wood when used within a structure (though it's actually a grass). 

Byline:

This is a guest post by Kristie Lewis from construction management degree. She is a full time blogger from Texas. Besides blogging, she loves to spend her time gardening and travelling.

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Constructing a Sustainable Future

Sustainable Building Apprenticeship Program For Women

10-Week Women’s Earthbag Dome Building Apprenticeship in Canada  Lillooet, British Columbia, July 28-October 6, 2012 Kleiwerks International’s Women of the Americas Sustainability Initiative (WASI) is hosting a 10-week, hands-on natural building apprenticeship that brings together a group of women apprentices with an experienced team of earthbag builders and native St’at’imc community members. Their project is to construct a Healing & Cultural Arts Centre near Lillooet, BC. This training immersion provides participants with the opportunity to learn construction while building a dome from start to finish, develop leadership skills through facilitating local groups, work side-by-side with a community that is creating culturally appropriate local solutions, and document the story to share with wider audiences.   Ideal participants are women who have follow-up projects, intend to share what they learn, want to work in the natural building trades and be part of the growing natural building movement. “This apprenticeship is a unique opportunity for participants to delve into earthbag construction while building the envisioned creative cultural community commons with the people of T’it’qet and Lillooet who are engaged in proactively creating a vibrant future by combining traditional St’at’imc culture and values with refined sustainable and ecological solutions,” says Susannah Tedesco, local Program Coordinator.   Today’s building industry uses half of our planet’s resources, yet healthy, time-tested, affordable and soulful construction alternatives exist. These alternatives are based on reclaiming and refining the use of local and recycled materials. Coupled with indigenous knowledge and Permaculture design systems, natural building plays a profound role in creating a way of life that is good for people and the planet.    Instructors Fox McBride and Chloe Wolsey are teaming up for the first time, combining their extensive and global earthbag dome construction backgrounds. WASI Delegate Christine Jack is a Nlaka’pamux First Nations leader who resides in St’atimc Territory near Lillooet, BC. Guest Instructors, The Mudgirls are a network of natural builders from BC. WASI Coordinator, Susannah Tedesco, is devoted to rural grassroots initiatives that empower communities to create viable local living solutions.    Women of the Americas Sustainability Initiative (WASI) is an alliance of women leaders who construct, educate, organize, and advocate for strong and empowered communities through ecological design-build practices with the aim of creating a socially and ecologically resilient world.   For details or to apply visit: http://www.kleiwerks.org/wasi-canada-earthbagdome-apprenticeship-2012/. There are 12 seats available. The fee is $3,600, including tuition, meals, lodging and field trips. Photos:

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Sustainable Building Apprenticeship Program For Women

Tech Connect World Summit 2012 - Invitation and Discount Code

Receive 10% off when you register using the code 12GBN10

Register HERE http://www.techconnectworld.com

See Attached Invitation

TCW_CT_DevelopingPartners_GreenBlogNetworkMay.pdf Download this file

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Tech Connect World Summit 2012 - Invitation and Discount Code

Premiere of Harmony at Sundance London Inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales

GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST SET TO SHINE IN WORLD PREMIERE OF HARMONY, INSPIRED BY HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES Filmed at King Pacific Lodge, environmental film debuts at inaugural Sundance London Film and Music festival NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, April 26, 2012 – Inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles), Harmony, A New Way of Looking at Our World will make its world premiere on April 28th during the inaugural Sundance London Film and Music Festival. Harmony grows out of three decades of work by Prince Charles to find innovative solutions to the global environmental crisis, with the goal of creating a more sustainable, spiritual and harmonious relationship with the planet. The project, which filmed at King Pacific Lodge, a Rosewood Resort, features environmentalists, entrepreneurs, farmers, as well as business and government leaders who are working collectively to restore the balance between man and nature. While at King Pacific Lodge, producers captured spectacular images of the pristine wilderness along British Columbia’s coastline, and learned more about the lodge’s efforts as a leader in modern conservation and sustainable tourism. As a floating luxury wilderness lodge operating in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, King Pacific Lodge works hard to seamlessly blend sustainable philosophies and unparalleled luxury travel experiences, believing that fish counts are as important as thread counts. For more than a decade, the lodge has been at the forefront of creating a new model for sustainable tourism, one that embraces a triple bottom-line business philosophy equally concerned for social equity, environmental conservation, and creating both memorable and benevolent travel experiences for guests. King Pacific Lodge has made great strides in demonstrating this commitment; first by being the initial private tourism operator to forge a working partnership in 2001 with the Gitga’at First Nation in Hartley Bay, thereby recognizing their rights and title to their traditional territory, and by being the first resort in North America to offset its own carbon footprint as well as that of its guests. Additionally, Condé Nast Traveler has rated the lodge as the number one resort in Canada for four consecutive years. Harmony is produced and directed by Julie Bergman Sender and Stuart Sender, whose work has received Oscar nominations and a Director’s Guild nomination for best documentary feature. To view the trailer for Harmony, A New Way of Looking at Our World, visit www.TheHarmonyMovie.com.

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Premiere of Harmony at Sundance London Inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales

Journalists Awarded Fellowships at Metcalf Institute

NEWS RELEASE

Ten Journalists Awarded Fellowships at Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting’s 14th Annual Science Workshops for Journalists

Narragansett, RI, April 26, 2012 – Ten reporters have been selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants to attend Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting’s 14th Annual Science Workshop for Journalists: Global Change in Coastal Ecosystems.  The workshop, which runs June 3 through 8th at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, will introduce fellows to the local, regional, and global effects of climate change, water pollution, and overfishing on coastal environments.

“I’m thrilled to see the quality of reporting and the commitment to excellence that each of these journalists bring to the 14th Annual Science Workshops,” said Sunshine Menezes, executive director of Metcalf Institute.  “I’m certain the fellows will leave this workshop with a better understanding of the science behind global change and coastal ecosystems and with enhanced investigative skills that will significantly improve their reporting on the environment.”

The 2012 Metcalf Fellows are:

       • Michele Berger, associate editor for Audubon Magazine in New York, NY
       • Mary Ann Bragg, reporter for the Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, MA
       • Grace Chua, reporter for The Straits Times in Singapore
       • Robert S. Eshelman, freelance reporter in Brooklyn, NY
       • Rosa Flores Dee, reporter for WDSU-TV in New Orleans, LA
       • Stephanie May Joyce, reporter for Unalaska Community Broadcasting in Unalaska, AK
       • Elaine Lembo, deputy editor of Cruising World in Middletown, RI
       • Marta Śmigrowska, host of the program Eco Reporter on the Polish national TV station in Warsaw, Poland.
       • Matt Smith, news editor for CNN in Atlanta, GA
       • Meera Subramanian, freelance reporter in West Barnstable, MA

Biographical information and details about the fellowship are available at www.metcalfinstitute.org.

The journalists will gain hands-on research experience through scientific fieldwork in and around Narragansett Bay, lab exercises at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, one of the nation’s premier research institutions, and discussions with leading writers and scientists.  The workshop includes training in environmental research methods, translating scientific publications, and opportunities to cultivate scientific sources and sharpen reporting skills for any story in which the public interest intersects with environmental change.

The Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting was established in 1997 with funding from three media foundations, the Belo Corporation, the Providence Journal Charitable Foundation and the Philip L. Graham Fund, and from the Telaka Foundation. It is named for the late Michael P. Metcalf, a visionary in journalism and publisher of The Providence Journal Bulletin from 1979-1987. In addition to providing science training for reporters and editors to help improve the accuracy and clarity of environmental reporting, Metcalf Institute administers The Grantham Prize, the world’s largest cash prize for journalism awarded for excellence in environmental reporting.

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Journalists Awarded Fellowships at Metcalf Institute

Think Like A Man Thinks Green

In time for Earth Day 2012, Sony Pictures RELEASES FIRST-EVER INDUSTRY PRODUCTION USING COMPLETELY ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING

Culver City, CA (April 19, 2012) - As an industry leader in environmental innovation, Sony Pictures has long experimented with energy-efficient light sources and technologies for use in its productions. But for the Screen Gems feature Think Like a Man, Sony Pictures took its efforts a step further and reached an industry first by using 100 percent energy-efficient (LED) lighting sources on the production.

“Sony Pictures is committed to making great content with a smaller and smaller energy footprint, and Think Like A Man is a great example of Screen Gems’ continuing tradition of actively reducing the impact and waste of a major feature film production,” says Gary Martin, President, Production Administration, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Conventional lighting for a motion picture requires a significant amount of energy to run and generates a lot of heat on set. This, in turn, must be cooled using air conditioning, requiring additional control equipment. Compared to a conventional incandescent bulb, however, LED lighting can generate over four times the amount of light with the same amount of energy (over four times the lumens per watt), and is also able to maneuver into tighter spaces and be transported more efficiently.

“Lighting is a crucial component in the visual art of filmmaking and brings to life the emotions of a story. LED and other energy-efficient types of lighting, when designed well, can be more efficient, easier to set up, versatile and longer lasting while still providing the visual aesthetic necessary for film production,” says Glenn Gainor, Senior Vice President, Physical Production, Screen Gems.

“Although not perfect, energy-efficient lighting is making great strides. We were excited to incorporate this industry-first in lighting into our production, and look forward to continuing to work with manufacturers to test and improve the technology,” says Mason McConnell, Executive Director of Set Lighting for Sony Pictures.

In addition to many other efforts, Think Like a Man further greened the filming by shooting the entire production in locations near the studio lot, cutting both transportation requirements as well as the need to construct sets. It also used many environmentally-friendly products and processes in the daily administration of the film.

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Think Like A Man Thinks Green

Birch Tree Trio Slimming Therapy

by Paige Donner

To celebrate the imminent arrival of beach season (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway), Weleda, the beauty company that has always been organic - since 1921! - has launched three new products on the market that, when used together as recommended, work to aid the slimming process.

These Birch Tree based products are to be used in tandem with a healthy exercise regime. Celebrity personal fitness coach Julie Ferrez (clients include French First Lady Carla Bruni and French President Nicolas Sarkozy) recommends a super-effective and not-very-time-consuming training circuit that you can do at home with a balance ball on your floor.

Ferrez, recently dressed all in Victoria's Secrets Pink workout wear ("I only wear U.S. clothes," confessed this adorable and Top French fitness trainer) led a group of assembled journalists interested in getting back in shape before bikini beachwear season strikes again. 

First exercise: Start by sitting on the balance ball. (Easy enough, eh?!) Then as you walk your legs forward, the ball will sit on your lower back to mid-back. Your legs are now supporting your lower body. From this position, do as many crunches as you can (watch to not lift your chin too high!). Do at least ten. If you can do 30 or more until your muscles fatigue, that's going to give you the best results the fastest. Do several reps of this.

Second exercise: Stand with the ball between your legs. Squat low enough so that your derriere brushes the ball. Stand up. Repeat. Be sure to keep your posture straight so that you don't put pressure on your lower back, but on your glutes and your thighs. If you do "fall" and land on the (soft) ball, no problem. The muscles that you exercise regaining your balance yield an effective workout, too. 

Have fun! Do as many reps as you can. This workout can be done in about 15-20 minutes, either morning, midday or evening.

Now for the Birch Tree Slimming Trio from Weleda...

Ferrez stands by Weleda's claims that when used together and in the context of a healthy exercise and diet regime, these will help to eliminate toxins, firm skin and rid body of cellulite and what the French call "orange peel skin."

1. Birch Tree Juice - mix 3 Tablespoons of the juice in a 1.5 liter bottle of water and consume this every day. The Birch Tree Juice helps to eliminate toxins and aids with digestion and purification of the liver.

2. Birch Tree Exfoliating Cream: Use 1 - 2 times per week. This exfoliating cream - made with a base of organic sesame oil, coconut oil, beeswax, apricot kernel oil and more good and organic things - is to be used in the shower to smooth and stimulate the skin and also circulation.

3. Birch Tree Massage Oil: Here is where some self-pampering comes in. After you bathe, apply this oil with deep self-massage (unless, of course, you have a personal masseuse!) by working the oil into the skin. In problem areas (thighs, stomach, underarms) methodically knead the skin, above the muscle, so that the oil deeply penetrates and can aid in circulation and elimination of fat cells. 

Ferrez and Weleda swear that with proper and continued use, you will see a reduction in cellulite over the span of weeks.

Check the Weleda Site for more info. And click on Julie Ferrez to watch her exercise video!

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Birch Tree Trio Slimming Therapy