| Greetings!
Thank you for receiving the monthly Sustainable Santa Monica e-Newsletter - Keeping you Informed of Santa Monica's current Events, News and Resources!
Please help to grow our sustainable community by forwarding this email to your friends and co-workers! There is a sign-up link at the bottom of the page. Or, you can always sign up at www.sustainablesm.org
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Where the Good Things Are - Growing, Buying, & Cooking the Best in California
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Presented by the Santa
Monica Farmers Market, and moderated by Evan
Kleiman,
from KCRW's
Good Food,
this panel discussion
with chefs and farmers will focus on the
philosophy and logistics of getting fresh
produce from the farm to the fork. When:Thursday, February 26, 7PM Where:Santa Monica Main
Library, MLK Auditorium Santa Monica Public Library |
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Santa Monica Bike Valet on Slate
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Santa Monica Farmer's Market Bike Valet featured on Slate V. "In Southern California, you can valet park your car
just about anywhere-the gym, the mall, children's birthday parties. Now
the Santa Monica farmers market even offers year-round valet parking
for bicycles." As if you needed another reason to shop at the Farmers Market.Check out the video: Slate VRelated Time Magazine article: How Valet Parking Could Save the PlanetSanta Monica Farmers Markets |
Expo Light Rail Info Meeting
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Please join us on
Tuesday, February 17th from
7-9PM to learn more about the Exposition Light Rail Project coming
to Santa Monica.
The light rail line will increase mobility in our community, and support the
community's Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE). It is crucial that
the light rail line serves Santa
Monica in the best way possible. Attend the meeting
to learn more about the details proposed by the Exposition Construction
Authority (the EXPO Authority).
The City of Santa Monica Planning
and Community Development Department is hosting this meeting to help residents
and members of the business community understand this complex project, with a
focus on segments in Santa Monica.
Presentations will be given by City staff and the EXPO Authority's
project director. We hope you will attend. When:Tuesday, February 17, 7PM-9PM Where:Civic
Center Auditorium's East Wing (1885 Main St.) View the DRAFT Environmental Impact Report: http://www.buildexpo.org/phase2_overview.php
For questions or comments, please contact Kyle Ferstead at (310) 458-8341 or email at
kyle.ferstead@smgov.net. No RSVP is required Build Expo Website
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Professional Landscaping Series
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FREE 'Santa Monica Green Building
Requirements for Landscape Professionals' Course
Lawn Alternatives
Success stories and tips for safe lawn removal, choosing plants to
replace lawn, planting in parkways, and irrigating groundcovers.
Instructor:
Russell Ackerman Important: PROFESSIONALS ONLY
When:
Tuesday, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM; 1 session on February 10, 2009
Where:
Santa Monica College - Bundy Campus
Enroll Online
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New Green Living Workshops Starting in January!
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Green Living Workshop by Sustainable Works
Get the latest eco-info!
Save Money and Resources!
Lower your Ecological Footprint!
Classes meet 1.5 hours per week for 6 weeks
Workshop addresses Planetary Problems then shares Sustainable Solutions
Progress is tracked through a comprehensive Life Style Survey
encouraging real sustainable change, making this a true interactive workshop.
New Lunchtime Workshop Starting:
Tuesdays starting February 10, 2009
12pm - 1pm
Bryan Cave
120 Broadway, Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90401
This will be a bring-your-own lunchtime workshop.
This is a unique opportunity for Santa Monica residents only.
New Evening Workshops:
Mondays starting March 2
Tuesdays starting March 3
Wednesdays starting March 4
Thursdays starting March 5
Classes have been filling up so register early!
Register Online
Suggested Donations:
$25 Santa Monica residents/$50 Los Angeles residents
More Info:Sustainable Works
Email:Nancy Barba
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Westside Permaculture Gatherings
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 January's gathering was a huge success! Please join us this month as we continue our efforts as changemakers in this community!
Project groups from last month include Community Planting Parties, spearheading a Community Supported Agriculture program, creating educational outreach material and more. We will also be having a special presentation on the growing Transition Town model.
Please bring a potluck item for our shared table.
When:
Tuesday, February 17, 6:00 PM
Where:
Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor
Questions:
Email: westsidepermies@gmail.com
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NEW! Green Office Buying Guide
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The
City of Santa Monica, a nationally recognized leader in green purchasing and sustainable city programs, invites you to explore our
virtual tour of a "green" workplace.
This site will assist anyone interested in purchasing products designed to
use water and energy efficiently, preserve trees and natural resources,
be less toxic and less polluting, and not threaten air quality. This
site is the most current and comprehensive resource you'll need to make
smart, sustainable procurement decisions.
Take the Virtual Tour
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How To Green Your Garden: Class Series
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Everything you wanted to know about greening your garden!
This series of classes is for the Santa Monica gardener that wants to grow a beautiful and sustainable garden. Each class will walk you through a different topic to help make your garden a success and envy of your neighbors.
When:
Classes will be held on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 12:00.
Where:
Santa Monica College, Main Campus
Cost:
$35 per class
Class Scheudle:
Feb 21 - The Dirt on Soil
Your soil is the key to a happy garden. Find out what soil you have and how to improve it.
Mar 21 - Plant Palette: Mediterranean Plants
Choosing climate-appropriate plants from the Mediterranean plant palette that offer a variety of colors, textures and fragrance.
April 11 - Water Wise Gardening
I've picked my plants but how and when do I water them? Learn the basics of water wise irrigation.
May 16 - Veggie Gardens 101
Learn how to incorporate edibles into your garden, including raised vegetable beds and planters.
June 20 - Good Bugs, Healthy Plants
Learn which plants attract good bugs and how you can reduce your maintenance and chemical use in the garden.
July 18 - No Sweat Gardening
A "green" garden requires 60% less maintenance. Find out how and when to prune your plants, mulching and composting.
Sept 19 - Plant Palette: Native Plants
Choosing climate-appropriate plants from our California native plant palette that offer a variety of colors, textures and fragrance.
Oct 17 - Showers to Flowers
How to use rainwater and graywater to water your garden.
Register:
Online Registration
Telephone Registration: 310.434.3400.
For more information about this series, visit www.sustainablesm.org or call (310) 458-8972
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Save the Date - LEED EB Event
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LEED EB Case Studies Event
Learn all about the scope and process of obtaining LEED for Existing Building Certification. Case studies to include Hotel and Commercial Office projects.
Hosted by Sustainable Works and Global Green USA
When:
Evening of Thursday, March 12
Where:
Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd, 2nd Floor
More info in the March Newsletter!
Contact Traci Reitz with any questions: reitz_traci@smc.edu
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Business Greening Program
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Need help greening your business located in Santa Monica?
Sign up for Sustainable Works FREE Business Greening Program and
receive:
1. Free environmental assessment of your business (waste, water, energy,
chemicals, purchasing, employee transportation)
2. Green Recommendation list specific to your business operations.
3. Monthly 'check-in' meetings with Sustainable Works staff to help you implement the chosen actions and help you stay on track for implementation
5. Employee Education sessions as needed
For more information, visit www.sustainableworks.org - click on Business.
Or contact the Business Greening Program directly on 310.458.8716 x2
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Grant Garden Wins Award
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Another Sustainability Award in Santa MonicaOne of Santa
Monica's Water-Efficient Landscape Grant recipient gardens
won the California Licensed Contractors
Association's first place trophy award in Xeriscape (climate appropriate,
water-conserving landscape). The project was the Villa La Mesa landscape renovation at 1138 20th Street -
designed by Kathy Horbund, a certified Santa Monica Sustainable Landscape
Professional.
At a time when our
water supplies are in critical shortage, the City's Landscape Grant
Program leads the state in aggressive landscape reform - a strategic
goal of overall water management planning. The gardens have
proven their cost effectiveness over traditional gardens and ensure the
long-term sustainability of our community's resources by reducing
maintenance costs, chemical applications, air pollution, solid waste
generation, fuel consumption and water use.
The grant program
that funded the garden is newly revamped, but still offers Santa Monica property
owners matched financial assistance for water-efficient landscape and
irrigation upgrades.
Learn more at
OSE Landscaping
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Save the Date: Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon
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SAVE THE DATE:
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon
Featuring Guest speakers:
Sheila Kuehl, former State Senator
Andy Lipkis, Tree People Founder and President
The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa
Monica, and Sustainable Works have developed the Sustainable Quality
Awards (SQA) to identify and recognize businesses in the Santa Monica
area that are successfully incorporating sustainable practices into
their operations. The SQA promotes the efforts of local businesses that
have made significant achievements in the areas of sustainable
economic
development, social responsibility, and stewardship of
the natural environment. By recognizing these achievements, this
awards program educates and inspires other businesses to adopt their own sustainable practices, thus helping Santa Monica become a model
sustainable community, providing its residents and visitors with a
healthy economy and environment.
When:
Wednesday, March 25th, 11:30AM - 2:00PM
Where:
Sheraton Delfina
smchamber.com
(tickets will be available for purchase closer to date!) |
Sustainable Works at
Whole Foods
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Support Sustainable Works by bringing your own bag next time you shop at Whole Foods Market!
Sustainable Works is now one of the non-profit beneficiaries of Whole Foods Market's wooden nickel program.
2201 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica CA 90403
310.315.0662
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Thank you for your commitment to a Sustainable Santa Monica!
Sincerely,
Traci Reitz
www.sustainablesantamonica.org
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Santa Monica's Environmental
Programs Division is Renamed the Office of Sustainability
and the Environment - A new office of the City Manager
The move and the name
change were made to elevate and centralize the role of sustainability in the
municipal organization and allow for greater integration and coordination of
green programs and initiatives throughout the city. Sustainability has
been a City Council priority for many years and Santa Monica is nationally and
internationally recognized for its leadership in this area.
The Office of Sustainability and the
Environment may be a new name, but rest assured we still offer the same great
programs and serve as your sustainable city resource. To learn more about
our programs and policies, and find ways to participate in realizing a Sustainable
Santa Monica, visit us online.
Our website has a new name too:
www.sustainablesm.org
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