Join us Tuesday, March 22nd for Sangria and Paella beachside in Del Mar sponsored by Greener Dawn, Empowered Energy, Compassion Happens, Ecopack Store and featuring speaker and International/National Best-Selling author Randy E. King. 

As a keynote advisor and speaker for a number of Fortune 500 companies, appearing on hundreds of talk radio and TV shows nationwide, the US Green Chamber is honored to have King come in from Arizona to speak to our community and members about enhancing their businesses, personal development and knowledge. 

At the event, King will be discussing and signing copies of his latest book,

Left-Center-Right: What is Best for America?, promoting personal development through the utilization of personal knowledge. According to King, "My goal has always been to provide the knowledge that my readers required to accomplish and fulfill their dreams. Individual responsibility must continue for America to remain great, and achieving success in our country is the crown of democracy and freedom."

The US Green Chamber is looking forward to hearing King's valuable advice and seeing you all there!

As a special option for members, tickets for this event will be priced at $30 through Monday (March 18th) and $40 thereafter. That includes dinner, sangria and other spirits.

Click here to register. 

Event Location

Hero of the Week: Senator Pushes For Greener Alternative

By: Laura Powers

When it comes to going green it can sometimes seem like it's a lot of talk and not enough walk. In this case, it's not the walk that's in question, but rather public transportation that is in the limelight. The California Coastal Commission has endorsed a bill by state Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego that would require all state coastal areas to build out their mass transit before widening any major highways. "The commission vote illustrates the growing support for better transit options up and down the state," said Kehoe in a prepared statement. "Improved transit service costs less, lowers pollution, and reduces congestion. Better transit must precede highway expansion."

This bill could put a stop to the proposed expansion of the I-5 in San Diego and North County, which is said to cost as much as 4.5 billion dollars. Backers of the expansion say the construction is needed to improve congestion. Opponents say the expansion would not improve driving times enough to justify the cost.

Another issue that has been considered regarding the public transportation expansion option is whether or not people would really use the service. Last year there were about 300,000 more empty seats on the Coaster that drivers could have filled. There are many reasons why these seats aren't being filled. Some driver's simply can't get to where they need to go using public transit, while others aren't offered options that will get them to where they need to go in a reasonable amount of time. The study also found that only 15% of drivers are going to work when they drive. Most people depend on their cars for everyday tasks (daycare, bank, groceries etc.) Many drivers admit that they wouldn't want to give up their cars because of the freedom it provides in managing these daily tasks.

So San Diegan's have a decision to make and it won't be an easy one. It will test their "green values" to the core. It will force them to shop in their neighborhood, eat out in their neighborhood and select businesses within walking distance to do their everyday tasks. It will mean taking the bus or train to the beach and to ball games, to work and to a friend's get together. We all may have to slow down a bit. Wait five minutes for the bus; be prepared to walk ten minutes to the pharmacy. On the bright side, at least we are in a region where it's sunny most of the year!

What Senator Christine Kehoe and the California Coastal Commission have done is a big step in the right direction. Choosing to spend tax money on public transit rather than expanding a highway is smart and forward thinking. Public transit can work in San Diego if it is upgraded and expanded. It will reduce carbon emissions considerably and begin to fix the infrastructure that has forced so many to rely on personal transportation.