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Thank you for receiving the monthly Sustainable Santa Monica e-Newsletter - Keeping you Informed of Santa Monica's current Events, News and Resources!
You are sure to find inspiration this month as July offers some amazing opportunities to get involved in our sustainable community!!
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FREE Energy Efficient Tune-Ups |
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Before going solar, the first step is to make your home and work environment energy efficient. Residents can start off on the right, energy efficient, foot. All renters, homeowners, and business and property owners qualify for an Energy Tune-Up at NO COST. This service is worth up to $250.00 in direct utility services, and includes materials and labor.
In three easy steps, your Energy Tune-Up will start saving you money today! For more info please check out the FLYER.
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Land Use & Circulation Element (LUCE) Community Workshop |
TAKE CHARGE OF OUR FUTURE! 
WHEN: Tuesday, July 7th 6:30-9:30pm
WHERE: Civic Auditorium East Wing 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica 90401
Please join the City of Santa Monica for a community workshop to ensure the Land Use and Circulation Element achieves the community's needs and priorities. At this event we will discuss:
PRIORITIZING COMMUNITY BENEFITS: Incorporating benefits such as affordable and workforce housing, creative arts, open space and historic preservation into future projects.
TESTING ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY: The nuts and bolts about how future projects could provide community amenities.
TAKING CHARGE OF OUR FUTURE: Achieving the vision in a sustainable fashion and balancing essential components over time.
This workshop marks a critical juncture where all the significant LUCE components come together. The entire Santa Monica community is encouraged to participate in Shaping the Future!
Please RSVP to ensure adequate facilities. Shapethefuture2025@smgov.net or 310.458.8341
The Shape the Future Team: www.shapethefuture2025.net
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SMC Supports Green Jobs With
NEW Solar Installer Certification |
 This fall Santa Monica College will offer the first course in its recently approved Solar Photovoltaic Installers Certificate program.
The program is designed to provide students the skills necessary to get high paying, high demand jobs in the field of Solar Installation.
SMC is one of the few regionally approved NABCEP certified education providers and has partnered with industry representatives to provide a high quality, holistic program.
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Santa Monica 4th of July Parade! |
 Join the Parade!
Solar Santa Monica invites all our solar advocates to walk with us in the 4th of July Parade! All participants will receive a FREE Solar Santa Monica t-shirt to wear.
Check-in: 7:30-9:00am
Where: Civic Center Auditorium (Pico & Main St.)
Parade starts at 9:30am. Please visit Solar Santa Monica for complete route details and to download the required participant waiver.
We are urging people to declare their energy independence. We're red, white, and solar. We want life, liberty, and the pursuit of clean energy. We hold the truth of solar to be self evident. After all, Thomas Payne would have said solar is Common Sense. See you on July 4th! |
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Wise Water Use Expo |
California's water supplies in crisis!
The CD11 Empowerment Congress Environmental Committee invites you to the Wise Water Use Expo. The evening is designed to further awareness of the drought crisis that we face as a community and provide information and tools to embrace water conservation.
Guest presenters are Ed Begley Jr, G3LA on Ocean Friendly Gardens and Kevin O'Donnell of Al Gore's Climate Project.
There will be water conservation information tables with give aways and special raffle items. For More info, please visit: wisewateruseexpo.blogspot.comWHEN: Tuesday, 7/21, 7 - 9pm
WHERE: Mar Vista Recreation Center
11430 Woodbine Ave, Los Angeles 90066
COST: FREE!
The event is hosted by the Mar Vista Community Council Green Committee. |
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Businesses Hit Their Stride with Green Certification |
The success of Santa Monica's Green Business Certification Program is soaring to new heights and threading its way into the business supply chain. The Program's newest members, Morley Builders, Hershey-Cause, Universal Music Group, Healthy Spot and Threshold Media Corporation are strengthening our community's economic and environmental sustainability. When businesses go green something amazing happens - they partner with businesses that supply green materials, products and services, which in turn support green businesses.
Green certified businesses can be identified by looking for the GBC decal in their window. For more information on these and all Santa Monica Green Certified Businesses, visit www.smgbc.org |
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Los Angeles Bioneers: A Revolution from the Heart of Nature |
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Monthly meetings of Los Angeles Bioneers are now held in Santa Monica! Please join us for a gathering of the Los Angeles Bioneers, people dedicated to re-imagining the future of our planet. Bioneers are biological pioneers who are working with nature to heal nature and ourselves.
Our guest speaker this month will be Dr. Woodrow "Woody" Clark II, Senior Fellow at the Milken Institute, CEO/Managing Director of Clark Communications, LLC and Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University, Graziadio Graduate School of Business and Management MBA Program. The presentation will outline what The Third Industrial Revolution is all about and what California and the USA need to do to become energy independent through renewable energy power and fuel generation.
WHEN: 7:00pm, Tuesday, July 28
WHERE: Santa Monica Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Multipurpose Room, second floor
NOTE: PLEASE don't forget to bring a potluck munchie contribution or a beverage! PLEASE bring your own eating utensils. We are aiming to be a ZERO waste event.
RSVP to Sara at srnichols@mac.com if you are able to come or want to be added to the LA Bioneers listserve.
"It's all alive...It's all connected...It's all intelligent...It's all relative" |
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Annenberg Community Beach House FREE Concerts, Lectures and Readings Every Tuesday! |
 July 7, 6:30-8:30 pm:
A Musical Evening: Performance by the Santa Monica Symphony Woodwind Quintet The SaMoSo woodwind quintet presents works by American composers including Copland, Gershwin and Joplin.
July 14, 6:30-8:30 pm
Reinventing the Beach House: Talk by Architect Frederick Fisher Rome Prize award-winning architect Frederick Fisher will discuss the vision behind the architecture of the Annenberg Community Beach House and its relationship to the original Marion Davies Estate.
July 21, 6:30-8:30 pm
Poetry by Brendan Constantine, Jamey Hecht
and Douglas Kearney
This dynamic mix of performance poetry, grand and private vistas, and geopolitical intrigue is the second in a series presented in conjunction with the Red Hen Press and cosponsored by the American Composers Forum L.A.
July 28, 6:30-8:30 pm
Hidden Stories of Santa Monica Beach: Talk by Historian Alison Rose Jefferson
Jefferson will speak about the little-known history of African American beach culture, including the area controversially known as "The Inkwell," one of the few beaches in Southern California open to African Americans.
**Tickets: Reservations are required. Events are FREE, but seating is limited. Please visit HERE to save your spot, or call 310-458-2257. Available on a first come, first served basis.
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Opportunities in Green Business |
 Innovative ideas and resources for starting a small business in sustainable energy, transportation, or water conservation. Sponsored by Santa Monica College's Small Business Development Center.
WHEN: Sat., July 25, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Fairview Branch Library, Santa Monica |
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Free Summer Lecture at the Aquarium History of the Santa Monica Pier |
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 The storied history of the Santa Monica Pier is the topic of the summer lecture sponsored by Heal the Bay's Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. James Harris, author of the recently published Santa Monica Pier - A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier, will discuss the book, share anecdotes and lead a guided tour of historic points along the Pier.
The free lecture will begin at the Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk (beach level beneath the Carousel). Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available by calling 310-393-6149 or by visiting Heal The Bay.
WHEN: July 29, 2009, 7:00pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk (beach level beneath the Carousel)
FREE |
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Sustainable Landscape Professional (SLP) Program- 2009 |
 Southern California is in a water crisis. Much of our water is wasted by inefficient irrigation systems and plants that are not adapted for our climate. The City of Santa Monica's Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OS&E) provides several programs to help train members of our professional and local community to use water more efficiently in their landscapes.
Program Benefits
- Free marketing for your company
- Free hands-on educational workshops
- Limited Rebates up to $1,500 on qualified products installed in Santa Monica, such as drip irrigation and irrigation valves.
- Monthly newsletter to keep up-to-date on the latest technologies and policies
- Networking with other professionals that are dedicated to making a difference.
Who's Eligible?
Landscape professionals: landscape designers, landscape architects, general contractors, maintenance contractors.
Class Schedule
***All classes are free***
July 14th:
Sustainable Landscape Professional Workshop for people interested in being part of our Program
July (date TBA):
Sustainable Landscape Professional "Policy" Session for people interested in being part of our Program and for those continuing the Program
August 11th:
Permeable Hardscapes
September 8th:
Transition to Sustainable Landscaping - SPANISH ONLY
October 13th:
Drip Irrigation Workshop
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Saturday Walking Tours of Downtown Santa Monica |
 In approximately two hours and six blocks, the walk traverses more than 130 years of Santa Monica history, from its Wild West frontier beginnings to the sophisticated metropolis of today. You'll learn about the civic leaders whose vision built the growing city, and experience downtown's diverse architectural heritage!!
WHEN: Every Saturday in July starting July 4th, 10am-12pm
WHERE: Meet at the Youth Hostel on 2nd Street
RSVP: REQUIRED by the Thursday before your tour.
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Bicknell Avenue Green Street Grand Opening Event |
 Please join the City of Santa Monica in celebrating the opening of its first "green" street, a street that has numerous features to harvest stormwater runoff and its pollution, and infiltrate it into the ground, keeping runoff pollution out of the Santa Monica Bay.
The opening will consist of a short presentation by City representatives including the Mayor and Council members and the state funding agencies, to be followed by a walk-through and explanation of the watershed features, including climate-appropriate plants, drip irrigation and solar-powered irrigation controller, and the finale, a rain simulation where we will observe how runoff passes along the road and into the various harvesting features.
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Location: 100 block of Bicknell Avenue, Santa Monica
Contact/RSVP: Neal Shapiro, Office of Sustainability & the Environment; 310.458.8223 |
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Santa Monica Pier
Twilight Dance Series |
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25th Annual Twilight Dance Series
WHEN: Every Thursday, July 2nd-August 27th, 7-10pm
WHERE: Santa Monica Pier Parking Lot (on the pier)
COST: FREE!!!
July 2: Worldwide Internet Phenomenon comes to the Pier!
Playing for Change Band (Global Viral)
Bushman (Jamaican Roots Reggae)
July 9: Musical Icon!
Joan Baez (California)
with special guest Tift Merritt (North Carolina)
July 16: Salsamuffin and Global Grooves
Sgt. Garcia (Spain/France)
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca (Congo/Angola)
July 23: La Monica Ballroom Redux: 85th anniversary Dance-A-Thon
Squirrel Nut Zippers (Chapel Hill)
Johnny Vana & The Big Band Alumni (San Fernando Valley)
July 30: Pioneering African Pop Giants!
Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited (Zimbabwe)
No alcohol is allowed. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. You are more than welcomed to bring your own seating but seats will be available for rental.
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Green Living Workshop |
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Green Living Workshop Starting in July!
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Get the latest Eco-info!
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Save Money and Resources!
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Lower your Ecological Footprint!
Workshop addresses Planetary Problems associated with Water, Waste, Energy, Shopping & Food, Transportation and Chemicals, then evaluates Sustainable Solutions. Progress is tracked through a comprehensive Life Style Survey encouraging real sustainable change, making this a true interactive workshop. Classes meet 1.5 hours per week for 6 weeks
New Workshop Starting:
Monday, July 13, 7-8:30 PM
The Green Life, 2409 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Classes have been filling up so register early!
Online Registration
Suggested Donations:
$25 Santa Monica residents/$50 Los Angeles residents
More Info at Sustainable Works
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How To Green Your Garden: Workshop Series for 2009 |
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 Schedule:
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:
For more information about this series, visit www.sustainablesm.org or call (310) 458-8972. |
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Sustainable Santa Monica |
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Learn everything you wanted to know about the various aspects of Sustainability in the City of Santa Monica, locate valuable resources and find out about happening events! Green Building (smgreen.org) and the events calendar have been incorporated into the homepage and we hope to keep it fresh over time. |
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Thank you for your commitment to a Sustainable Santa Monica!
Sincerely,
Traci Reitz
Community Sustainability Liaison
sustainablesm.org
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The purpose of this Newsletter is to provide Santa Monica residents, businesses and organizations with the information and resources needed to help meet the goals of the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan.
Thirteen years ago Santa Monica launched the Sustainable City Plan, a visionary plan for the community's future. With wide community participation, the Plan was developed to help us make positive contributions to our community's environmental, social and economic viability.
Since its adoption, the Sustainable City Plan has been responsible for many positive changes in the community in eight goal areas:
-- Resource Conservation
-- Environmental and Public Health
--Transportation
-- Economic Development
-- Open Space & Land Use
-- Housing
-- Community Education & Civic Participation, and
-- Human Dignity
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