Sustainable Santa Monica e-Newsletter April 2009
Greetings!

Thank you for receiving the monthly Sustainable Santa Monica e-Newsletter - Keeping you Informed of Santa Monica's current Events, News and Resources!

A special thanks to all the students who participated in the Sustainable Santa Monica Earthday Poster Contest!  We received over 300 inspiring entries and look forward to celebrating all our artists at a special reception on the Pier. More info in the next newsletter.

HAPPY EARTHDAY!
In This Issue
100 Garden Challenge
Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon
Meet the Urban Homesteaders
BBB to Receive Economic Stimulus Funds
HHW- Mural Dedication and Green Office Tour
Mar Vista Garden Tour
Green Business Networking
7th Annual Permaculture Design Course
Topanga Earth Day Festival
Focus the Nation
Green Living Workshops
How to Green Your Garden
100 Garden Challenge!
Garden Challenge

*Is it possible to transform a town into an edible oasis in one weekend?*

Join us in making our community and abundant, edible paradise of fruits, berries, nuts, veggies and flowers! 

Sponsored by the Westside Permaculture Group and Sustainable Works, the 100 Garden Challenge is an event created by the community for the community. Friends, neighbors & newcomers alike can join together in a common vision to create a more abundant world through Growing Gardens. On May 16th & 17th, we will grow food, to share stories, trade recipes, and make friends. Help us in creating more abundant neighborhoods all across the Westside.


When:
Saturday and Sunday, May 16th & 17th

How it works is simple:
Grow Your Own or Join a Garden Crew

1) Grow your own

Everyone can have a garden. Grow herbs in your kitchen, a potted garden on your balcony, a fruit tree in the yard, or replace your whole lawn with an edible food forest! Our resource page is full of guides to help you plan edible estates big and small. We can even help supply volunteer labor and the know how. Subsidized gardens - in the form of plant and material donations - are available for low income projects.

2) Join A Garden Crew

We need volunteer gardeners of all experience levels and ages! Garden Gurus will oversee project sites while those getting their hands in the dirt for the first time will have an opportunity to learn through action.

3) Suggest a Skill

Have another skill to offer?  We are also looking for Chefs, Artists, and Entertainers af all types for our Gratitude Parties celebrating our work in the gardens.


We hope that these gardens will inspire many more people to begin to start their own. Gardens offer a place of beauty, provide a return of tasty fruits and veggies and build friendships.


Please Sign Up Today!:  Gardens of Gratitude

2009 Sustainable Quality Award Winners
OPA parade









Sustainable Quality Awards recognize businesses and organizations for excellence in stewardship of the environment, social responsibility, and economic development.


2009 Grand Prize winners are:
Bryan Cave
Saint John's Health Center
Taxi! Taxi!
Whole Foods Market.

Awards for excellence in stewardship of the environment:
Blair Graphics
Santa Monica College
Studio of Environmental Architecture

Awards for excellence in social responsibility:
Business.com
Pluralistic School #1

Awards for excellence in economic development awards:
Community Corporation of Santa Monica
Blair Graphics.

SM Mirror Article on SQA:
SM Mirror

Learn More:

Sustainable Quality Awards

Meet the Urban Homesteaders
Co-Op

Celebrate Eart Day Week with Co-opportunity


Interested in Permaculture? Meet the Urban Homesteaders!

Since the mid '80s, Jules Dervaes and his some and daughters have steadily worked away at transforming an ordinary city lot in Pasadena, California into an integral urban homestead. Come enjoy a screening of their short documentary, meet and greet the eco-pioneers! Check them out at www.PathtoFreedom.com.

When:
Monday, April 20, 7-9PM

Where:
Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd, MLK Auditorium

Hosted by Co-Opportunity


 
BBB to Receive Economic Stimulus Funds
BBB Hybrid
Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus to Receive Nearly $13 Million in Federal Economic Stimulus Funds; Plans to Infuse Money Back into Economy with New Contracts



The City of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus has announced it will receive $12.8 million from the federal government's economic stimulus package, which will be used to upgrade the agency's fleet and improve its infrastructure.
 
The stimulus funds will allow the transit agency to solve several key community needs, including offering quieter and environmentally-friendly hybrid buses on its Mini Blue neighborhood routes, and also the ability to replace older diesel buses in the fleet and introduce new articulated buses on the agency's busiest lines.

The Big Blue Bus is planning to allocate its economic stimulus funds to purchase:
  • 10 new 30-foot gasoline-electric hybrid buses for use on neighborhood Mini Blue lines.
  • Three 60-foot flexible articulated buses that will be added to the busy Rapid 3 and Rapid 7 lines.
  • Up to three 40-foot alternative fueled buses that will replace several of the agency's older diesel models.
"It's very rewarding to be a catalyst for getting dollars circulating back into both the local and national economy, and to be able to develop the infrastructure for better community service all at the same time," said Stephanie Negriff, director of transit services for the Big Blue Bus.

"This purchase will help to stimulate our own Southern California economy, as well," said Negriff, "which makes it even more meaningful." 

Negriff said they were very pleased to be acquiring the hybrid vehicles from ElDorado National, a local bus manufacturer located in Riverside County.

"The addition of the new hybrid buses will allow us to put into place an even greater network of transit services that will help people who live and work in Santa Monica to be car-free," said Negriff.

Contacts:       
Dan Dawson
310-458-1975 x5831

Francine Pares
949-481-7559

The Big Blue Bus
HHW - Mural Dedication and Green Office Open House
HHW Center

"Celebrating 20 Years of Service and 160,000 pounds of Hazardous Waste Collected Every Year"

The Santa Monica Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OSE) and the Virginia Ave. Park Teen Center are pleased to invite you to an event celebrating the dedication of a mural, a new, and very green office space, and 20 years of service to the community.   

  • There will be a dedication of "Seven Generations" - a mural honoring the Household Hazardous Waste Center's 20 years of service. The mural was created by local student artists, with the direction of resident artists and the Virginia Ave. Park Teen Center.
  • Ribbon Cutting & Tour the Center's brand new, very green, office space made up of two reused shipping containers, with a green roof and much more.

When:
Thursday April 23, 5 - 7 PM

5:00    Reception
5:30    Event: Ribbon Cutting/Mural Dedication
6:00   Tours of Office and Refreshments

Where:
Household Hazardous Waste Center, 2500 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica CA

RSVPs Requested:
Email: James Velez-Conway

Mar Vista Green Garden Tour
MV Green Committee

The Mar Vista Community Council's Green Committee invites fellow Los Angeles area residents to see what their water-savvy neighbors in Mar Vista are doing to help combat the Southland's water crisis.

Tours through dozens of Mar Vista gardens also offer the benefit of first-hand experience and the expertise of those already committed to reducing their water consumption profiles through the adoption of drought-resistant landscaping.
 
When:
Sunday, April 26, 2-6PM

More Information and Garden Map:
Mar Vista Garden Showcase

Green Business Networking
money
You're invited to the only pure monthly networking event for owners and decision-makers of LA's green businesses. We meet at Santa Monica's award-winning, sustainable Ambrose Hotel - the first LEED EB certified hotel! Delicious organic snacks provided by Whole Foods Market. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.

When:
Tuesday, April 14, 6-9PM

Where:
The Ambrose Hotel, 1255 20th Street, Santa Monica
Ambrose Hotel

For further event information please contact us at : greenbusinessnetworking@gmail.com

 
7th Annual Permaculture Design Course
Earth Flow logo

The Permaculture Solution (R)Evolution
EcoUrbanism and A Society of Sustainability...


The Los Angeles Permaculture Guild has one of the largest and most dynamic City Permaculture groups in the world -who now work beyond the garden to bring sustainable solutions to city planning, community activism and more. 

Permaculture is a world-wide movement detailing the most inspiring examples of human ingenuity of the most practical solutions toward a sustainable society ever documented!

This course is packed with how-to solutions, community actions and activities.
W/ Special Focus on a Permaculture Economic Stimulus Plan!
Save Money and Save the Earth's Precious Resources
· Natural Patterns & Reading the Landscape
· Lawns into Gardens -Localizing Food
· Water Harvesting -Water Conservation
· Green Building -Sustainable Living
· Economics of a Sustainable Society
· Easing off Oil & More!

Instructors include some of the most experienced permaculture designers in the world. The teaching team is led by Larry Santoyo and includes Scott Pittman, Toby Hemenway and others...

Find all the dates, details and payment options at: 
Earthflow Course Page

downlaod a PDF Flyer:
LA course flyer
 
10th Annual Topanga Earth Day Festival
Topanga Earthday

Topanga Earth Day celebrates 10 years during this all-weekend celebration with some of the finest musicians, artists, nonprofit organizations, workshops, organic food & beverages, sustainable living solutions, guest speakers, green technology, healing arts, environmental organizations, and holistic living workshops.

When: April 18th & 19th, 10AM - Sunset

Where: Topanga Community House Fairgrounds, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga

More information: TopangaEarthDay.org

Global Energy, Environment and Economy Town Hall Forum
AID logoFocus the Nation Town Hall Forum

Americans for Informed Democracy is collaborating with Focus the Nation to sponsor a "Nationwide Town Hall Meeting" on climate and energy related issues being discussed in every congressional district in America April 18th. Our goal: To empower a generation to power the nation.

The daylong retreat will bring together young Americans from across the region to discuss ways of promoting ecosystem resilience and community self-reliance that can be performed in individual communities. Students will be exposed to discussions of the world's environmental situation and asked to consider carefully the social forms which would mount a sustainable, proactive response to the environmental challenges of the future.  The retreat will consist of guest speakers, focused working groups, leadership workshops and a political forum with local, state and federal politicians.

When:
Saturday, April 18

Where:
University of Southern California Taper Hall Auditorium 101

More Information:
Americans for an Informed Democracy
Green Living Workshops Starting
OSE
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 Workshops Starting:

Monday, April 13, 7-8:30PM
The Green Life

Tuesday, April 21, 7-8:30PM
SMASH/John Muir

Wednesday, April 22,  7-8:30PM
Santa Monica Main Library

Sunday, April 26, 1-2:30PM
Sustainable Works

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

How To Green Your Garden:  Class Series
garden/garden

Everything you wanted to know about greening your garden *But were afraid to ask*


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:
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.

September 19 - Plant Palette: Native Plants
Choosing climate-appropriate plants from our California native plant palette that offer a variety of colors, textures and fragrance.

October 17 - Showers to Flowers
How to use rainwater and graywater to water your garden.


Register:
Online Registration

Telephone Registration: 310.434.3400. 

Questions: Russell Ackerman, 310.458.2213; russell.ackerman@smgov.net

For more information about this series, visit www.sustainablesm.org or call (310) 458-8972
Thank you for your commitment to a Sustainable Santa Monica!
 
Sincerely,

Traci Reitz

www.sustainablesantamonica.org
 

ose
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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Sustainable Works logo