| Greetings!
Thank you for receiving the monthly Sustainable Santa Monica e-Newsletter - Keeping you informed of Santa Monica's current events, news, resources and educational opportunities!
You are sure to find inspiration this month as October offers some amazing ways to get involved in our sustainable community!!
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We Want to Hear From Our Sustainable Community!! |
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Please follow the below link to vote on your favorite Green Tour option we will offer in the coming months as one of the diverse community sustainability events open to everyone! Thank you!
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4th Annual AltCar Expo |
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WHEN: Friday and Saturday, October 2 & 3, from 10am to 5pm
WHERE: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
COST: Free & Open to the Public
Parking for AltCar Expo at the Santa Monica Civic is $8 for the day.
Expo exhibitors will be featuring the most cutting edge options in alternative vehicles, transportation technologies, alternative and renewable energy, bikes, urban planning, mass transportation, tax rebates and credits, and more!
- AltCar Expo Speakers Schedule including: Peter Ward, CEC Dan Neil, Los Angeles Times Dr. Andy Frank, University of Berkeley Steve Ellis, Honda Dave Barthmuss, GM Tom Gage, AC Propulsion Craig Perkins, Energy Coalition
- First viewing opportunities of vehicle debuts at the Expo
- AltCar Ride & Drive area for hands-on experience with all technologies. Most vehicles in this area are available for immediate purchase
- Major bike debuts, free bike repairs and free bike valet
- Ecological Footprint charting by Sustainable Works
- Sustainable Café
"We aren't just presenting ideas of the future, but rather showing that there are solutions available today that allow us to use less energy and reduce our carbon footprint without making big changes to our lifestyles," said Rick Sikes, fleet superintendent for the City of Santa Monica.
For more information and a complete schedule of industry expert speakers, exhibitors and energy panels, visit www.altcarexpo.com or call 310.390.2930
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The Green Prize for Sustainable Literature Awards |
 When: Saturday, October 3, 2009 1:00 p.m.
Where: MLK Jr. Auditorium 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Celebrate sustainable Santa Monica with the presentation of the third annual Green Prize Awards. Prizes will be awarded in four adult and five youth categories. The Green Prize Pioneer Award, created to honor a writer that has paved the way for discourse on sustainable issues, will go to Jane Goodall, primatologist, anthropologist, and founder of The Jane Goodall Institute. Refreshments from the Santa Monica Farmers Market will be served after the presentation.
Seating is limited and on a first arrival basis. For more information call (310) 458-8600 or visit www.smpl.org/greenprize.html. For special disabled services, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606 at least one week prior to event.
The Green Prize encourages and commends authors, illustrators, and publishers who produce quality books that make significant contributions to, support the ideas of, and broaden public awareness of sustainability. Sustainability is defined as "meeting current needs - environmental, economic and social - without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same" (City of Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan).
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Buy Local Super Saturday Event- October 3rd |
 Make your dollars work harder for you and your community - Buy Local Santa Monica!
On October 3, shoppers who bring a reusable bag to any participating retailer and restaurant will receive a special offer. For a full list of the participating Buy Local Super Saturday businesses and offers, visit www.buylocalsm.com.
Participating businesses will have Buy Local Santa Monica decals in their windows. The Buy Local Santa Monica campaign was created by representatives of the Santa Monica business community and the City of Santa Monica to support local businesses and raise awareness of the community, economic and environmental benefits of choosing local first. |
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Green Living Workshop |
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Green Living Workshops Starting in September!
Workshop addresses Planetary Problems associated with Water, Waste, Energy, Shopping & Food, Transportation and Chemicals, then evaluates Sustainable strategies and solutions. Progress is tracked through a comprehensive Life Style Survey encouraging action-oriented sustainable change, making this a true interactive workshop.
New Workshops:
6 Tuesday Meetings
Starting October 6, 2009
10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, and 11/10
6:30pm -8:00pm
PS#1 Elementary School,
Multi-Purpose Room
1454 Euclid Street.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
6 Wednesday Meetings
Starting October 7, 2009
10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, and 11/18
7:00pm -8:30pm
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
6 Tuesday Meetings
Starting October 13, 2009
10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, and 11/17
8:00pm-9:30pm
Patagonia
2936 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Classes have been filling up so register early!
Suggested Donations:
$25 Santa Monica residents/$50 Los Angeles residents
More Info at Sustainable Works
Contact Nancy Barba
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Big Blue Bus "Green" Maintenance Facility |
 
*Photos by Lawrence Anderson
After nine years of planning, and nearly three years of design and construction, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus turned the key on its new state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly maintenance facility at a dedication ceremony and public open house held on September 23rd. Some of the Environmental Facts include:
- Recycled content in many of the building materials
- High-albedo(light colored - white) roofing material and concrete in the maintenance yard
- Dual Glazed, low-e glass
- 80KW Photovoltaic system
- City reclaimed water for landscape irrigation (drip irrigation system)
- Energy efficiency measures (energy management system, minimum energy factor water heaters, fluorescent and metal halide lighting)
- Stormwater Management System (clarifiers, detention vaults and infiltration galleries)
- Indigenous landscaping
- Natural daylighting whenever possible
- Dimming and occupancy lighting sensors
- low/no VOC materials and finishes
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- 100% of the Big Blue Bus fleet operates on alternative fuels
- Recycling Efforts (oil, tires for repaving streets, 85% of the water used in our wash facility, the aluminum from old wheels, among others)
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Dear Santa Monica Commuters-
The Commute Can Wait - Stay to Play! On four Thursdays this October (8,15,22 & 29), why not let the traffic wait? Stay in town after work and experience exclusive performances and discounts at some of our city's finest restaurants and theaters. Simply visit www.cometoworkstaytoplay.com, click on any of our "participating destinations" and choose a restaurant and/our performance that best suits you.
This program was designed especially for you, the daily commuter to Santa Monica. If you have any questions about the program or how to participate please contact program director Justin Yoffe at 310-458-8634 or justin.yoffe@smgov.net.
"Come to Work, Stay to Play" is sponsored by City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, the Santa Monica Arts Commission its Performing Arts Committee and the Bayside District Corporation. |
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Greening the Bottom Line |
Senator Fran Pavley along with the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and First United Methodist Church invites you to attend "GREENING THE BOTTOM LINE."
Learn how to increase energy and water efficiency in your home and or business. It will be good for the earth & for your pocketbook!
Location: First United Methodist, 1008 11th street,
Santa Monica CA 90403
When: Thursday, October 15th, 7:00PM-8:30PM, Doors open at 6:30PM for registration.
Cost: Free
Senator Fran Pavley will speak first about current environmental legislation, and special guest Ted Flanigan with Eco Motion will provide information on how to be "green" with city and state grants and rebates.
Resource Fair will include: Sustainable Works, Tree People, Municipal Water District, CA Native Plant Society, Sempra Energy and more!!
For more info on the event, please contact:
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The Significance of Urban Farming: Fixing our Broken Food System |
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You are invited to this presentation by WILL ALLEN, MacArthur "genius" Award recipient ('08), Honored as a Person of the Year by the National Resources Defense Council ('09), and Founder & CEO of Growing Power.
When: Thursday, Oct. 8, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
Where: Art 214, Santa Monica College Main Campus
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Santa Monica College Environmental & Urban Issues Lecture Series |
 All programs start at 6:30pm on Wednesday nights at the Bundy Campus and last at least one hour, plus a question and answer session.
October 14, Bundy 217: Imagining Clean and Efficient Transportation Systems
Transportation and air quality expert Erik Neandross shows us the future of advanced transportation technologies, alternative fuels, AND cleaner air.
October 21, Bundy 123: Introduction to Permaculture Design
Traci Reitz and Westside Permaculture Group show us the basics of ecologically inspired design and how to create sustainable human habitats for our communities with an emphasis on local food production.
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"The Curse of Oil" by Peter Maass |
 When: Wednesday, October 7, 7:30pm
Where: Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
Free Parking on site at North Lot
Cost: Free and Open to the Public
Zócalo Public Square would like to invite you to attend "The Curse of Oil" by Peter Maass. Every unhappy oil-producing nation is unhappy in its own way. But each is touched by what's known as the resource curse - the power of oil to harm rather than help the countries that possess it. Around the world oil vastly enriches small ruling classes, degrades the environment, and destabilizes political and economic institutions as prices fluctuate. Peter Maass, New York Times Magazine writer and author of Crude World, visits Zócalo to explore the consequences of gas-guzzling, the paradox of plenty, and how to cure our addiction to oil. Reservations are suggested and can be made at:
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All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch |
 When: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
(or until the pumpkins are gone)
Cost: $5.00 per person all you can carry - 1 trip per person
Open to the public
Where: Santa Monica Farmers Market Arizona Avenue @ 2nd Street
For a mere $5 (Yes that's FIVE DOLLARS - Cash only) you can wade into the huge market pumpkin patch and walk away with as many pumpkins as you can carry down a 25-foot runway. Balance them on your head, in your arms or dangle them from your teeth (at your own risk).
Who has more fun - onlookers or participants - it's hard to tell, but everyone is sure to have a wonderful time at the patch, which features the most beautiful, round, bright orange, California grown pumpkins you can find. Costumes welcome!!!
For More Info, Contact Darra Adler Darra.adler@smgov.net
City of Santa Monica
Farmers Market
310-458-8712 x 2 |
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How to Green 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.
Class Schedule:
Oct 17 - "Showers to Flowers" for Santa Monica homeowners 9am-12pm
Learn the correct way to use rainwater and graywater to water your garden.
Main Campus room 11 Cost: $35 per class
Taught By: Russell Ackerman, ecological landscape designer and resource conservation expert.
For more info about this series, visit www.sustainablesm.org or call (310) 458-8972.
Register:
Online Registration
Telephone Registration: 310.434.3400.
Questions:
Russell Ackerman, 310.458.2213;
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***For a more in-depth gardening experience, Join Heart Beet Gardening's five month series of hands-on workshops covering everything the aspiring victory gardener/urban homesteader/locavore needs to know to begin, maintain and enjoy a home vegetable garden. This series of workshops is perfect for complete novices and beginning gardeners who are eager to gain some skills, and turn their thumbs a deeper shade of green.
Space is limited to 12 people, so please email us to reserve your space. The five month series begins in October and is $300, including a $50 materials fee. Reduced rates are available, please inquire. All workshops will be held in the Mid-City area of Los Angeles (Venice and Rimpau). Confirm your spot for the exact address. All workshops will be on the SECOND Saturday of the month and will start at 10:00 am.
October: Soil and Seeds
November: Vegetables Have Friends Too
December: Learning to Share
January: Decomposition is Hot
February: Harvest Festival
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Sustainable Landscape Professional Series |
 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.
Who's Eligible?
Landscape professionals: landscape designers, landscape architects, general contractors, maintenance contractors.
Oct 13th- "Water Wise Irrigation"
4-7pm, FREE
Find out about irrigation systems that meet the local code requirements including drip irrigation, subsurface irrigation and rotary sprayheads.
Taught By: Russell Ackerman, City of Santa Monica Water Resources Specialist
Oct 21st - "Graywater Workshop for Professionals"
2pm-5pm, FREE
Find out about the new graywater regulations and how to properly install a graywater system.
Taught By: Russell Ackerman, City of Santa Monica Water Resources Specialist
Where: Santa Monica College
Bundy Campus
3171 S. Bundy Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
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LA Coastal Cities Gardening Resource |
 Thinking about redoing your garden? It's easier than ever before to create the beautiful sustainable garden you've always wanted. Take a virtual tour of gorgeous gardens from LA's coastal cities. You can see hundreds of colorful plants and print a list of your favorites to take to the nursery. The website features easy to follow design and installation steps, sample plans, and local resources. Start your sustainable garden makeover today. Visit www.lacoastalgardens.com.
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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 promise to keep it fresh over time. |
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Thank you for your commitment to a Sustainable Santa Monica!
Sincerely,
Samantha Sommer
Community Sustainability Liaison
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Sustainable Works
serves as
Santa Monica's
Sustainability Liaison
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 & Public Health
--Transportation
-- Economic Development
-- Open Space & Land Use
-- Housing
--Community Education
& Civic Participation
-- Human Dignity
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