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| Sustainable Santa Monica Newsletter | June 2010 |
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| Greetings! | Thank you for receiving this Newsletter-- Keeping you informed of everything Sustainable in Santa Monica, from community events, news, and resources, to business and educational opportunities!
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 in eight target areas: Resource Conservation, Environmental and Public Health, Transportation, Economic Development, Open Space & Land Use, Housing, Community Education & Civic Participation, and Human Dignity.
You are sure to find inspiration this month as June offers some amazing ways to participate in our sustainable community!! |
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Santa Monica College (SMC) and Sustainable Works/Center for Environmental & Urban Studies (CEUS)- Green Walking Tour | |
When: Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time: 10:30am-12pm
Location: We will meet at Sustainable Works
1744 Pearl St. Santa Monica 90405 MAP **Parking directly east of office.
SMC- Learn about the many green building and sustainability features on campus including the Vermitech system, LEED Certified Building, Rain Catchment System, Native Gardens and much, much more!
Sustainable Works/CEUS- Alternative Building Materials, Re-purposed Materials, Recycled Furniture and Carpeting, Alternative Energy, Solar Tube Lighting, Water Conservation techniques and much more! Plus learn about the many environmental education programs Sustainable Works offers for you!
**Light Snacks and Refreshments to Follow!! We look forward to seeing you there!
PLEASE RSVP To Samantha Sommer by June 18, 2010 through EMAIL or by calling 310.458.8716 x 1. |
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Composting Workshop | |
 When: Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm
Location: Sustainable Works
1744 Pearl Street, Santa Monica 90405 MAP**Parking directly east of office.
Americans throw away more than 25 percent of the food we prepare, about 96 billion pounds of food waste each year according to the US Department of Agriculture ( www.epa.gov). Food waste includes uneaten food and food preparation scraps from residences or households, commercial establishments like restaurants, grocery stores, and cafeterias. A joint publication of EPA and USDA, states the nation spends about one billion dollars a year to dispose of food waste. How much of your food and money are you literally throwing away?
Here is your chance to join us at Sustainable Works to learn everything you wanted to know about composting so you can start your home compost and divert almost a quarter of all your trash from the landfill!!
**RSVP To Samantha Sommer by June 18, 2010 through EMAIL or by calling 310.458.8716 x 1. |
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DIRT! The Movie |
 When: Thursday, June 24, 2010 Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Santa Monica Main Library
2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room
601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica 90401 MAP
**Associate Producer, Tracy Brown will host a Q & A after the movie!!
DIRT! The Movie--directed and produced by Bill Benenson and Gene Rosow--takes you inside the wonders of the soil. It tells the story of Earth's most valuable and under appreciated source of fertility--from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation.
DIRT! The Movie--narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis--brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil.
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2010 Earth Day Student Poster Contest Winners Announced
"Go Green. Ride Blue. What Does Sustainable Transit Mean to YOU?" |
Honoring the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the city's Office of Sustainability and the Environment, the Big Blue Bus and Sustainable Works have collaborated on the second annual Student Earth Day Poster Contest, themed "Go Green, Ride Blue. What does sustainable transit mean to you?" The poster contest was open to all kindergarten through twelfth grade students who live or attend school in Santa Monica. More than 450 posters were submitted by students ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old. Posters were submitted from 9 schools throughout the city.
Students were invited to express their thoughts and ideas through art about clean air, climate change, healthier lifestyles and sustainable transportation: a broad view of alternative forms of getting around town. "The student's creativity can inspire us to use more sustainable transportation options such as walking, biking, carpooling and riding the Big Blue Bus," said Shannon Parry, the Sustainable City Program coordinator.
To highlight the student's creativity, four Big Blue Buses have become rolling showcases for the Student Earth Day Poster Contest submissions. The Grand Prize winning artwork is currently on display on four Big Blue Bus exteriors, which will remain up throughout the next month. The art work from the runners-up will be displayed on the interiors of the same buses. "Helping kids of all ages become more aware of public transportation and its significance to sustainability is an important goal for us," said Dan Dawson, customer relations manager for the Big Blue Bus. "I know the contest winners and their families must be thrilled seeing their posters on so many buses around town."
The Grand Prize winners are Nell Kerndt from Edison Language Academy, Gigi Grossman from Roosevelt Elementary, Shayan Chetty from Lincoln Middle School and Chelsea Palmer from Santa Monica High School.
Transportation is one of the goal areas identified in the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan. The Sustainable City Plan was created to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community for the sake of current and future generations.
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Environmental Working Group (EWG) Suncreen Guide |
 Summer time is here! Have you thought about how your sunscreen is actually protecting your family like it promises?
Of the 500 beach and sports sunscreens that EWG analyzed for our 2010 Sunscreen Guide, we can only recommend 8 percent. Between the false sense of security from sunscreens with an SPF of 50 or higher, and new data linking vitamin A to accelerated development of skin tumors and lesions, most products don't live up to their hype. In fact, EWG found that wearing a hat and shirt in the sun should be your first line of defense, then using an EWG recommended sunscreen.
How does your sunscreen rank?
Only 39 sunscreens -- one out of every 12 we reviewed -- earn our top rating for safety and effectiveness. Find out which are in our top sunscreens list.
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VOTE For Your Favorite Garden |
Beginning April 30, 2010 go to www.sustainablesm.org/landscape to cast your vote to decide which gardens will become the newest public gardens in Santa Monica. The top 3 garden designs will be installed across from Airport Park. These designs include the latest features in sustainable landscaping: raised veggie gardens, play areas, outdoor rooms, permeable paving, native and Mediterranean plants, cisterns, drip irrigation and lawn alternatives. Winning designs will be available on-line for free and come with a list of plants and local stores that will provide plants and materials. |
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Sustainable Works-- Green Living Workshop | |
We have four Green Living Workshops starting in June! Participants can now earn a special Completion Bag filled with eco-goodies if all workshop requirements are met. The workshop is free for Santa Monica residents and we suggest a $50 donation for non-Santa Monica residents.
Learn about environmental problems and sustainable solutions!
The Green Living Workshop covers the following topics, one per week:
Water, Energy, Waste, Chemicals, Transportation, and Shopping & Food.
Workshop meets for six sessions at the same location and time. Learn about the problems related to each of the above topics on a global, national and local scale. Then with the help of the WorksBook take action on ten related solutions.
Starts Thursday, June 3, 2010
9:30-11am
The UCLA Family Commons, 1221 2nd St, Santa Monica 90401
6 Thursday meetings: 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, and 7/8
Starts Tuesday, June 8, 2010
7-8:30pm
Coloft, 920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
6 Tuesday Meetings: 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6 and 7/13
Starts Wednesday, June 9, 2010
7-8:30pm
Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
6 Wednesday Meetings: 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7 and 7/14
Starts Saturday, June 19, 2010
2-3:30pm
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405
6 Saturday Meetings: 6/19, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17 and 7/24
FREE For Santa Monica Residents/ $50 for Los Angeles Residents
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California Solar Initiative Solar Class | |
A 90-minute, non-technical, easy-to-understand, homeowner information session co-hosted by The City of Santa Monica.
When: Thursday, June 3, 2010
Where: Santa Monica Public Library
2nd Level- Multi Purpose Rm. 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Parking available in parking structure for $1/hour For More Info and to Register
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Understanding Analytics In A Data Driven World | |
When: Thursday, June 3, 2010
Time: 5:30pm-8pm
Location: Santa Monica Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, 90405
Join us for the seventh installment of Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Monica, Professional Seminar Series June 3rd @ 6pm Understanding Analytics in a Data Driven World: Best Practices and Applications Across Industry. The evening will be full of insight for novices and experts alike, designed for the needs of the Los Angeles business and academic community. Scheduled Speakers: Omniture, IBM, comScore, Emanio CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! |
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Green Drinks- West Side | |
When: Thursday, June 3, 2010
Time: 7-10pm
Location: Check website for current location
The West Side Green Drinks location changes frequently. Please check the Green Drinks website to confirm before heading over. Green Drinks allows for anyone concerned about environmental issues to get together over a drink. Green Drinks events are very simple, informal, unstructured, and self organizing, but help connect the green network. Let's bring together the huge LA environmental community and have fun doing it! |
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Santa Monica's Long Range Urban Forest Master Plan |
 Santa Monica is currently developing a Long Range Urban Forest Master Plan designed to maintain and expand canopy coverage throughout the city and maximize environmental benefits for generations. The City of Santa Monica's Urban Forest Task Force will be holding a series of community workshops to take input from the public on the City's long range urban forest master plan. The workshops will include presentations on the state of the urban forest and the process of selecting the right tree for the right location.
When: Sunday, June 6, 2010
Time: 1-3:30pm
Location: Santa Monica Main Library
Multipurpose Room
601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Attendees participating in the workshop will discuss street tree planting concepts and future objectives. Public input will be encouraged in the form of surveys and tree theme selection preferences. The survey can be taken at http://www.smgov.net/urbanforestsurvey. Don't miss this opportunity to participate in shaping the future of the city's urban forest! |
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2010 Sustainable Landscape Design Series for Professionals | |
 Rain Harvesting, Graywater & Permeability
The do's and don'ts of using graywater or rainwater to irrigate your clients' gardens. Learn rain harvesting techniques. Find out about permeable paving options too.
When: Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Time: 4pm-7pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Santa Monica College Bundy Campus (MAP)
Sign-up through Santa Monica College's Continuing & Community Education Program by CLICKING HERE |
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Green Business Networking |
 When: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 Time: 6 - 9pm
Location: The Ambrose Hotel
1255 20th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
You're invited to the only pure networking event for owners and decision-makers of LA's green businesses. We meet at Santa Monica's award-winning, sustainable Ambrose Hotel - where upscale tranquility meets affordable luxury www.ambrosehotel.com. Delicious organic snacks provided by Whole Foods Market. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. |
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Motor Oil Recycling and Free Filter Event | |
 When: Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time: 10am-2pm
Where: O'Reilly Auto Parts
Bring your used motor oil and filters for recycling. Exchange your old filter for a new one, free. Free distribution of motor oil collection buckets.
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Documentary Film: FOOD INC. (2008) | |
 When: Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Fairview Branch Library
2101 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
You'll never look at dinner the same way again. An unflattering view inside America's corporate controlled food industry. |
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Last Fridays on Main Street -- TGILF!! | |
The Friday Before First Fridays Is Here At Last! On June 25th and the last Friday of every month, participating Main Street businesses will stay open late with specials and special events!!
Santa Monica Bike Valet is on Main Street every Friday evening! Bicyclists who valet on Last Fridays will receive discounts from participating merchants. The Bike Valet is on the east side of Main Street between Ashland and Pier Avenue from 5 p.m. to midnight every Friday until further notice. Note: Some merchants will be offering discounts to those who valet their bikes! Look for the *.
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Car Free Friday! | |
 THE LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH IS "CAR-FREE FRIDAY!" More bikes on LA streets for a healthier and cleaner Los Angeles! Car-Free Friday encourages more people to ride a bike at least one day a month. Experience the greater Los Angeles area by bike and stay healthy, save money, reduce green house gas emissions and have fun! Get a friend who does not ride yet, to join you on the last Friday of the month to ride to work, to party, to shop, to eat, to hang, TO BIKE IT!!
When: Friday, June 25, 2010
Where: Everywhere, Los Angeles County |
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Food & Farming Veteran Career Fair | |
The Farmer-Veteran Coalition (FVC), a project of Community Partners, is pleased to announce our first Southern California Food and Farming Veteran Career Fair. FVC works to match returning veterans with viable careers and meaningful employment in the food and farming industry. On Wednesday, June 30, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium we will host a minimum of 500 veterans to introduce them to regional farms, urban farming and school garden projects, the wholesale produce, landscaping and ornamental industries as well as area food artisans - bakers, butchers, cheese makers and chefs. If you have any questions, please direct them to our Director of Career Development, Michael Porter by email ( michaelp@farmvetco.org) or phone (530) 756-1395. The City of Santa Monica Farmers' Market and the Office of Sustainability and the Environment are supporting the Food and Farming Veteran Career Fair.
To Learn More About this Event, Please see the WEBSITE! |
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Buy Local Santa Monica Launches an Online Business Directory! | |
 Santa Monica residents, businesses and employees now have a great resource at their finger tips. The Buy Local Santa Monica website features profiles of over 170 local businesses, including special offers, images, links to their websites and opportunity for people to give feedback on the individual businesses. The website also has an expanded Events section to help spotlight great activities right here in Santa Monica, such as Last Fridays on Main, the 5th Annual Pico Festival, Bike Fridays and more.
Buy Local Santa Monica 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. Visit the site at: www.buylocalsantamonica.com.
If you're a Santa Monica business and want to join the campaign, sign up at www.buylocalsm.com/about. Everyone is also invited to become a FAN of Buy Local, or follow our TWEETS. |
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Train to Become a Volunteer Solar Panel Installer |
 GRID Alternatives is a non-profit organization that installs solar electric systems for low-income homeowners in partnership with local families, volunteers, and job trainees.
To volunteer, please visit their WEBSITE and follow the simple instructions. |
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Use the IPhone to Green Your Neighborhood |
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 Want to report someone hosing off, using a leaf blower, or dumping in the storm drain? Now it's as easy as pushing a button! Use the new iphone app to report eco-violations to the City of Santa Monica. Going green has never been so easy!
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Thank you for your commitment to a Sustainable Santa Monica!
Sincerely,
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Samantha Sommer
Sustainable Santa Monica
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