| Greetings!
Thank you for receiving the monthly Sustainable Santa Monica e-Newsletter - Keeping you Informed of Santa Monica's current Events, News and Resources!
May offers some pretty amazing opportunities to get involved in our sustainable community. From Green Building Tours to Edible Gardens to our Community Beach House, you are sure to find inspiration this month!
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Santa Monica Festival
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A free family festival featuring vibrant music and dance on solar powered stages, recycled couture, earth friendly workshops, free bicycle valet, global marketplace, international cuisine, and more...The City of Santa Monica presents Santa Monica Festival: Revel with a Cause
each spring in Clover Park, located at 2600 Ocean Park Boulevard.
Through the performing and visual arts, the Festival honors the
unwritten ethnic history of Santa Monica as well as the rich
environmental resources that sustain it. Each year the celebration
features an eclectic array of traditional and contemporary music and
dance on several stages, demonstrations of traditional crafts by local
artists, and hands-on art and environmental workshops to engage people
of all ages. The Festival is produced by the City of Santa Monica
Cultural Affairs Division.When:Saturday, May 9 11AM-6PMWhere:Colver Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd.
Community Festival
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Green Building Tours- MAY 2nd! |
2009 City of Santa Monica Green Building Tour
Saturday May 2nd
On
Saturday May 2nd, 2009, the City of Santa Monica will host a Green
Building tour at several buildings in and near Santa Monica. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit some of the most cutting edge developments in the region! The tours
will run from 10 AM to 3 PM. There are no tickets for the tour -visit the tour sites at your
own pace and schedule, but please be mindful of the 10 AM and 3 PM time
frame for the tour. The tour sites are homes and businesses for
people in the community, so please be respectful in your visits to the
sites.
Follow this link for a map to all of the tour sites: MAP
Although there are no tickets for the tour, please RSVP to brenden.mceneaney @ smgov.net with the number attending and the sites you would like to visit, so that we can anticipate how many people to expect.
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AltBuild Expo
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The Alternative Building Materials & Design Expo Returns to Santa Monica The 6th annual
AltBuild Expo is Southern
California's most substantive and extensive showcase of green and sustainable
building materials. Presented by the City of Santa Monica, this event features
over 150 exhibitors displaying the latest in green building technologies and
practices, landscape and water conservation products and interior design
products and furnishings.
The AltBuild Expo hosts an impressive array of educational
lectures and demonstrations. Friday's speaker series will focus on topics
geared towards trade professionals (builders, architects, landscape architects
and municipalities), and Saturday's series will focus on both trade
professionals and topics of interest to the general public. The program will
include panel discussions, seminars, and hands-on workshops led by top
environmental and urban development experts.
There will also be a self-guided Green Building Tour on
Saturday, May 2nd, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., sponsored by the City of Santa Monica
Office of Sustainability & the Environment. Visit www.smgreen.org for
tour details. WHEN:
Friday May 8 & Saturday May 9, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. WHERE:
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street
ADMISSION FREE
FREE BIKE VALET
Speakers Schedule
Green Building Tours
For more info, please visit
www.altbuildexpo.com or call (310) 390-2930, Ext 3. |
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JUNKraft |
JUNKraft: Raising awareness about plastics pollution in our oceans
Speaker: Joel PaschalDid
you know that there are approximately 3.5 Million tons of plastics in
our oceans?! The Algalita Marine Research Foundation studies the
accumulation and impact of plastic marine debris. In the summer of 2008
Joel sailed a raft made from 15,00 plastic bottles, JUNKraft, 2,600
miles from California to Hawaii to raise awareness about plastic marine
debris fouling our oceans. Joel previously worked for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where he spent 4 months at sea
studying marine debris. Junk RaftWHEN:Tuesday, May 12, 6:30PMWHERE:Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd FloorFREERSVPs appreciated but not required.For more information or to RSVP please contact Traci Reitz: reitz_traci@smc.edu |
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100 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.
You Tube Video: Westside Permies
Please Sign Up Today!: Gardens of Gratitude
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Earthday Poster Contest - Reception and Awards
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You're Invited to a Celebration!Students, Families, Teachers and Community Members are invited to come celebrate all who participated in the Sustainable Santa Monica Earthday Poster Contest. Please join us!Food, Gifts, Raffle Prizes, Awards, and Free Carousel Rides!Over 300 K-12 aged students submitted artwork for the Sustainable Santa Monica Earthday Poster contest, sharing their vision for a clean, green and healthy community. The entries were both inspiring and heart warming. Grand Prize winners and Runners Up will be personally notified of their selection. The party at the Pier is for celebrating ALL our young artists! Come see ALL of the posters!WHEN:Wednesday, May 13th, 4:00PM-5:30PMAwards & Recognition Ceremony at 5:00PMWHERE:The Historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel BuildingRSVP:RSVP's are greatly appreciated: reitz_traci@smc.eduThe City of Santa Monica and Sustainable Works would like to thank the Santa Monica Pier,Whole Foods and Clif Bar for supporting this community event.For more information please contact Traci Reitz: reitz_traci@smc.eduValidated parking available |
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Community Beach House Now Open! |
The Annenberg Community Beach House at Santa Monica State beach is open to all, no membership required.
Swim in the pool. Play a game of volleyball or beach tennis. Drop by
for a cultural event. Discover the rich history of the site. Celebrate
a special occasion against the backdrop of our sweeping ocean views.
Take in unparalleled Southern California sunsets.
Plan your day by reserving parking, pool passes and court time in
advance.
The Beach House Story
The 5-acre oceanfront site upon which the Annenberg Community Beach
House now sits was originally developed during the Gold Coast era of
the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. The
Beach House was a hot spot on Santa Monica's Gold Coast, with Hearst
and Davies entertaining luminaries from the Hollywood set, such as
Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Samuel Goldwyn, Greta Garbo, Clark
Gable and other stars of the day.
In 1947, Joseph Drown purchased the property from Davies and
converted into into OceanHouse, "America's Most Beautiful Hotel," along
wtih the Sand & Sea Club, a limited-membership beach club.
In the 1990s, the City of Santa Monica ran the facility,
known as '415 PCH,' until the 1994 Northridge Earthquake severely
damaged all structures on site. In recovering from the earthquake, the City embarked on an extensive
public input process to reenvision the role of 415 PCH as an important
public gathering space. Although a reuse plan was adopted in 1998, the
project sat on hold while the City tried to secure funding. Wallis
Annenberg of the Annenberg Foundation, held fond memories of visiting
the Sand & Sea Club. When she learned of the City's struggle to
identify funding to realize its vision for a year-round public beach
facility, she enthusiastically offered to help. The Annenberg
Foundation provided a $27.5 million grant that paved the way for the
site's rehabilitation.
Avoid Parking Fees by riding the NEW Mini Blue Line to the beach House!
Have a great day at the beach!
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Non-Recyclable Food Service Container Ban Info
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Thank you to the over 600 food establishments and countless community members that have successfully participated in Santa Monica's Non-Recyclable Food Service Container Ban! Now in place for one year, the ban is an important first step in eliminating plastics from our beaches and oceans.
This month there are many opportunities to learn about the ban and the alternatives to non-recyclable containers.
The Food Service Container Ban Info Events for Restaurants:Saturday Farmers' Market Goes Zero WasteWhen: Saturday, May 2, 8-10AMWhere: Virginia Ave. Park; Pico & Cloverfield @ Market Managers TableWednesday Farmers' MarketWhen: Wednesday, May 6, 8-10AMWhere: 2nd & Arizona @ Market Managers TableSanta Monica Festival - Eco ZoneWhen: Saturday, May 9, 11AM-1PMWhere: Colver Park; 25th & Ocean Park @ Office of Sustainability and the Environment BoothJunkraft - Raising Awareness About Plastics in Our OceansWhen: Tuesday, May 12, 6:30PMWhere: Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd, 2nd FloorThe Pieces of Zero Waste - Conversation w/ Expert Panel on BioPlasticsWhen: Wednesday, May 13, 9AM-1:30PMWhere: Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor*RSVP Required. Contact Josephine Miller 310.458.4925 josephine.miller@smgov.netMore Information: http://www.sustainablesm.org/container Information/R.S.V.P Contact: Josephine Miller
Phone: 310.458.4925
Email: josephine.miller@smgov.net |
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Homeowner Solar Session
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Solar Santa Monica and Southern California Edison present a Homeowner Solar Information Session. This non-technical, comprehensive session will be on Saturday, May 30th. If you're interested in learning the basics of solar energy, the benefits of solar as a homeowner, and available financial models that help make solar possible for your home, please come and bring questions!When: Saturday, May 30thWhere:Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd FloorFREE - Registration RequiredTo Register:Call the Solar Santa Monica office at (310) 458-4992 or call Edison at (866) 970-9221. Use the event number: 15-053009.
Solar Santa Monica hopes to see you there!Solar Santa Monica
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Lawns to Lunches:
Planting your Yard for Food & Beauty
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The Santa Monica Farmers Market presents this panel discussion on Santa Monica's efforts to assist residents in switching from grass to gardens. Panelists include farmers Jimmy and Logan Williams from Hayground Organics; landscape consultant Russell Ackerman, from the City's Office of Sustainability and the Environment; landscape designer Nancy Cipes, from Organic Edible Gardens; and Il Grano Chef Sal Marino. Moderated by Farmers Market Supervisor Laura Avery.
When:
Thursday, May 14, 7PM
Where:
Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., MLK Jr. Auditorium
Santa Monica Public Library
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New Housing for the Homeless Opens
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New Housing for the Homeless Opens in Santa Monica.
Cutting-edge architecture firm, Pugh + Scarpa has just completed a new 46 unit permanent housing facility with rehabilitation and support services for the homeless and mentally disabled population.
Step Up on 5th distinguishes itself from most conventionally developed projects in that it incorporates energy efficient measures that exceed standard practice, optimize building performance, and ensure reduced energy use during all phases of construction and occupancy. The planning and design of Step Up on 5th emerged from close consideration and employment of passive solar design strategies. These strategies include: locating and orienting the building to control solar cooling loads; shaping and orienting the building for exposure to prevailing winds; shaping the building to induce buoyancy for natural ventilation; designing windows to maximize day lighting; shading south facing windows and minimizing west-facing glazing; designing windows to maximize natural ventilation; shaping and planning the interior to enhance daylight and natural air flow distribution. These passive strategies alone make this building 50% more efficient than a conventionally designed structure. Step Up also incorporates numerous sustainable features that exceed state mandated Title 24 energy measures by more than 30%.
LA Times Article
Pugh + Scarpa Project Page
*image from LA Times
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May 14th is Bike to Work Day
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Bike to Work day is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the miles of bike
lanes and paths in Santa Monica, not to mention the great weather and beautiful
scenery. So dust off that bike, head to your local bike shop for a tune
up (and a helmet if you don't already have one) and plan to leave your car at
home and bike to work on May 14.
Pit Stops Offer
Food Fun and Prizes:
The following Pit Stops will offer fun, food and giveaways
to bicyclists in Santa Monica:
- Helen's Cycles, 2501 Broadway
- REI, 402 Santa Monica Blvd.
- City Hall, 1685 Main Street
Pit Stops are open from 6 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and City Hall will
operate a free bike valet from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Stop by on your
ride to work and join in the fun.
Be Part of the Crowd:
Join thousands of other Californians who are pledging to
Bike to Work on May 14th. Pledge online with metro.net and you
may win some fantastic prizes. Click on this link for all of the
details: http://www.californiabikecommute.com/register.asp
Plan Your Commute:
Planning your bicycle commute in advance can help make your
ride to work more enjoyable, especially if this is your first time riding to
work.
Santa Monica bike Map
LA County Bike Map
Have fun, be safe, and enjoy your ride to work May 14th!
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How To Green Your Garden: Class Series
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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.Class Scheudle:May 16 - Veggie Gardens 101Learn how to incorporate edibles into your garden, including raised vegetable beds and planters.June 20 - Good Bugs, Healthy PlantsLearn which plants attract good bugs and how you can reduce your maintenance and chemical use in the garden.July 18 - No Sweat GardeningA "green" garden requires 60% less maintenance. Find out how and when to prune your plants, mulching and composting.September 19 - Plant Palette: Native PlantsChoosing climate-appropriate plants from our California native plant palette that offer a variety of colors, textures and fragrance.October 17 - Showers to FlowersHow to use rainwater and graywater to water your garden.Register:Online RegistrationTelephone Registration: 310.434.3400. For more information about this series, visit www.sustainablesm.org or call (310) 458-8972
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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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