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| Sustainable Santa Monica Newsletter | April 2011 |
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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 April offers some amazing ways to participate in our sustainable community!! Let us all resolve to be a greener, healthier and more engaged community in Santa Monica this and every day as you take advantage of the many programs, policies and opportunities the City of Santa Monica's Office of Sustainability and the Environment has to offer! |
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Evan Kleiman To Give Keynote Address at
2011 Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon | |
Santa Monica's annual celebration of sustainable business leadership takes place at the Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica Hotel. For sixteen years the Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Monica and Sustainable Works have honored local organizations that make extraordinary contributions to our community with the Sustainable Quality Awards.
This years winners include:
PS #1 Elementary School - Sustainable Quality Award
LAcarGUY - Sustainable Quality Award
Lotus East-West Medical Center - Excellence in Stewardship of Natural Environment
Schaffer's Genuine Foods - Excellence in Stewardship of Natural Environment
Gorman & Miller - Excellence in Stewardship of Natural Environment
MINARC - Excellence in Economic Development
Evan Kleiman, renowned chef, bestselling author and host of KCRW's Good Food radio show, will give the keynote address at the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce 2011 Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon themed "Sustainable Food."
When: Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Time: 11am-2pm
Where: Sheraton Delfina Hotel, 530 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 Map
Cost: Pre-paid tickets are $55 for Chamber members and $60 for non-members until April 19th.
Please purchase tickets on-line or call 310.393.9825
Click here for more information
www.smsqa.com
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3rd Annual Sustainable Santa Monica Student Poster Contest | |
The City of Santa Monica's Office of Sustainability & the Environment, Santa Monica Farmers Market, Big Blue Bus and Sustainable Works announce this year's theme:
Sustainable Food
- Open to ALL students K-12 that live or attend school in Santa Monica
- Poster submissions DUE by Friday, April 29th at 5pm
- Student Poster Making Booths at your local Saturday Pico Farmers Market and Sunday Main Street Farmers Market through April 23rd
- PRIZES, FOOD and FUN at the Beach Celebration and Awards Ceremony in May!!
- For questions or to submit a poster, contact Samantha Sommer or call 310.458.8716 x 3
For All Poster Contest Information and Guidelines CLICK HERE! |
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Santa Monica 2011 Green Building Open House |  
What: As an appetizer to Altbuild 2011, the City of Santa Monica will host its annual Green Building open house. The architect, owner, or other docents will be present to answer questions about the sustainable features of the site and the process they went through. This year's tour includes: the Center for Environmental and Urban Studies at Santa Monica College, the first multi-family project in Southern California to be dual-certified with both LEED and GreenPoint Rated, a project that salvaged 80% of deconstruction materials and uses FSC-certified wood throughout, a LEED Platinum Zero Net Energy home that also makes extensive use of reclaimed material and a green tenant improvement retail project to house a sustainable product offered by one of the leading sustainable companies. When: Saturday April 16th, 2011 Where: One week before the tour, we will email attendees with a map to the tour locations
Cost: Free!
What else: This tour will count for continuing ed credit for LEED APs and GAs.
Note: Some of the homes are completed and occupied, so please be respectful of the owners who have graciously invited you in to learn from their home. As always, you will be entering at your own risk, so please be careful.
Click here to RSVP
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SAVE THE DATE-- AltBuild Expo and Conference 2011 | |
WHAT: The Eighth Annual AltBuild Expo and Conference Presented by the City of Santa Monica-the largest and most-respected green design and building expo in Southern California for both professionals and public.
WHO: Over 150 hand-picked exhibitors featuring the world's best in green building and design materials; energy efficiency techniques and technologies; alternative energy; water conservation and management; environmental plumbing; municipal and state agencies, and non-profit organizations.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th, 2011; 10AM - 5PM daily
WHERE: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
WHY: The time for Altbuild is now more than ever; the nation and California in particular is enjoying unprecedented rebates and financial incentives for both builders and homeowner to design, retrofit, and add on green. AltBuild provides the best opportunity of the year for professionals--designers, architects and the building trades-and the public alike to explore everything that's new and on the horizon in green building, design and operational practices. The event features public demonstrations, accredited educational programming for professionals, and small group discussions led by area green building experts. Each offers best practices and practical knowledge of green building from a pocketbook, design and carbon footprint perspective.
WHAT ELSE: The Eighth Annual City of Santa Monica AltBuild Expo is the largest green building expo in Southern California. The Expo is free and open to the public and features free bike valet parking; automobile parking is $9.
www.altbuildexpo.com |
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Big Cash Rebates Available for Sustainable Landscapes | 
Landscape Rebates Still Available - up to $5,000. Funding has been extended for the Cash for Grass Rebate, Irrigation Product Rebate and Sustainable Landscape Grants. To find out more and to register for your rebate, visit www.sustainablesm.org/rebate. Restrictions apply - Santa Monica properties only.
Rebates for clothes washers and other water-saving products - up to $300, visit www.bewaterwise.com. Restrictions apply.
Rainwater Harvest Seminar - Renowned author, Brad Lancaster, will provide an entertaining and free presentation on collecting and using rainwater in new construction and remodel projects. March 10th from 1:30 to 3:30 at LA County Public Works Headquarters in Alhambra. For details visit www.sustainablesm.org/runoff. To register, email neal.shapiro@smgov.net.
Compost Workshop - Join the Green Garden Academy on March 19th from 10:30 to 1:30 for a free compost workshop. Registration required. Click here to learn more and register.
Leaf Blowers and Hosing Banned. To report violations of leaf blowers, hosing and sprinkler runoff, call the City of Santa Monica's Reporting line at (310) 458-4952; email environment@smgov.net or use your Iphone or Android App smgov.net/go. To find out more visit www.sustainablesm.org/landscape.
Visit www.sustainablesm.org/rebate or call (310) 458-8972 to register. All Santa Monica property owners are eligible to apply. Restrictions apply, not all applicants will receive funding, funding is limited. |
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Aquarium Earth Month Celebration | 
Here is information about a one- weekend event at the Aquarium!
What: Heal the Bay's Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is celebrating Earth Day and Earth Month with a weekend-long festival April 16th and 17th, with presentations and activities for all ages, and an offer of free admission to everyone who first cleans the beach at Nothin' But Sand or near the Santa Monica Pier.
When: Saturday and Sunday, April 16th and 17th, 2011
Time: 11am-6pm both days
Where:
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk,
Map
Click here for more information |
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Screening and Panel of Dirt! The Movie | 
When: Friday, April 1, 2011
Time: 7:30pm- 9:30pm
Location: The Broad Stage
1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA MAP
Film and panel: $15 per person
With Reception: $25 per person
Panel: Bill Benenson, director; Andy Lipkis,Tree People; Denise Ritchie, Malibu Compost Post Screening Reception & Food Tasting When: Friday, April 1, 2011 Time: 9:30pm- 10:30pm Reception Treats: Akasha Richmond, Akasha Restaurant Location: The Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA MAP Click here for more information!
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Jack Sierad at the James Gray Gallery, Heal the Bay Benefit |  What: Join us for the opening of Jack Sierad's Sea Glass Art Exhibtion Saturday, April 2nd at the James Gray Gallery. Jack's work use only hand-picked glass fragments from the Pacific ocean. Each piece contains 4-5,000 individually selected fragments which are manually assembled into unique and beautiful figurative works.
The exhibition will be on displayed through April 24th, with a portion of proceeds to benefit Heal the Bay.
When: Saturday, April 2nd, 2011
Time: 6pm-9pm
Where: James Gray Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., Building #D4
Bergamot Station Art Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Map
What else: Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm
Sunday-Monday, by appointment
Click here for more information |
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2011 Sustainable Landscape Design Series for Professionals | |
Sustainable Landscape Design: No Irrigation
Learn how to design your landscapes so they don't require irrigation. Also learn new techniques for harvesting, using graywater, and installing permeable hardscapes.
When: Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tuition: FREE
Instructor: Ackerman
Location: Santa Monica College Bundy Campus (MAP)
Sustainable Landscape Maintenance: Alternatives to Leaf Blowers
Taught in English and Spanish. Learn about the City's ban on leaf blowers
and try out different tools to clean up leaves and litter.
When: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tuition: FREE
Instructor: Ackerman
Location: Santa Monica College Bundy Campus (MAP)
The Sustainable Landscape Design Series for Professionals is intended for professionals working in Santa Monica who want to learn more about sustainable landscaping principles, local rebate programs and City regulations. Classes are taught by experts within the field.
Sign up for the class by CLICKING HERE
For More Information!
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Paul F. Starrs Lecture: The Nature of Agriculture | |
 
Professor of Geography at the University of Nevada at Reno discusses his work with his co-author Professor Peter Goin. Their book is the Field Guide to California Agriculture, which includes essential information about agriculture in California and its environmental context.
Learn what animals and crops are grown in the state, how agriculture reflects our relationship with nature, and how to answer the questions "What is that and why is it growing there?"
When: Thursday, April 7, 2011
Time: 11:15am
Cost: FREE
Location: Santa Monica College Main Campus
Arts Building, ART 214 Map |
| Container Gardening for Organic Vegetables and Herbs | |
When: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time: 1:00pm- 3:00pm
Tuition: FREE
Instructor: Carvell
Location: Santa Monica Library, Fairview Branch
Contact Number: 310-458-8681
2101 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 MAP
Learn how to grow your own veggies and herbs in containers from seeds.
Master Gardener, Emi Carvell, will show you how!
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Green Business Networking | |
Please join us for the only pure networking event for owners and decision-makers of LA's green economy. Wine, soft drinks and snacks will be provided. The $15 door charge keeps this event sustainable (only $10 if you pre-pay in advance).
When: Tuesday, April 12th
Cost: $15 at the door/ $10 if you pre-pay
Location: Working Village, 212 Marine St., Suite 100, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (MAP)
Wine, soft drinks and snacks will be provided.
For more info or to pre-purchase tickets. |
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Green Garden Academy | |
Plant Palette: Mediterranean Plants (3 units)
When: Saturday, April 16, 2011
Time: 10:30am- 1:30pm
Tuition: FREE
Instructor: Ackerman
Location: Santa Monica Main Library, Fairview Branch
2101 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 MAP Think you can only plant California natives to be sustainable? Learn to choose climate-appropriate plants from the Mediterranean plant palette that offer a variety of colors, textures and fragrance. Presented by the Santa Monica Public Library and the Santa Monica Office of Sustainability and the Environment, it's The Green Garden Academy, the official school of sustainable gardening! Each class will walk participants through a different topic to help make your garden a huge success and the envy of your neighbors.
Classes are taught by Russell Ackerman, ecological landscape designer and water resource conservation expert, and will be held one Saturday each month, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Multipurpose Room at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Participants can earn up to 34 total class units; 17 units are needed to graduate. Join in this fun and informative series at any time!
For more information about this series, visit www.sustainablesm.org/landscape or call (310) 458-8972. Click Here to Register! |
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Green Garden HonorAcademy: Bee-Keeping | |
 When: Saturday, April 16
Time: 2:30 PM- 5:15 PM
Location: Santa Monica Main Library, North Entry
Courtyard (MAP)
Space is limited and registration is required.
Find out what all the buzz is about! We'll take a trip to a local bee-keeper's "bee yard" and discover the secrets of successful apiculture. You'll learn about how honey is made, how hives are maintained, and the role bees play in keeping our ecosystems healthy and alive. Meet at the library. This class is designed for graduates of the year-long Green Garden Academy course.
Space is limited and registration is required. Register at http://greengardenhonoracademy2011.eventbrite.com/. Although you are welcome to register for any of the Green Garden Honor Academy classes even if you have not graduated from the Green Garden Academy, it is strongly recommended you complete and graduate from that course first.
Registration for Green Garden Academy is currently open and can be done at: http://greengardenacademy2011.eventbrite.com. |
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Beach Cleanup | |
What: Heal the Bay's monthly Nothin' But Sand cleanups are open to all - especially during Earth Month. Cleanup volunteers will receive a FREE reusable water bottle from your helpful SoCal Honda Dealers, while supplies last and the first 150 volunteers will receive a Chivas USA tee shirt. Plus, enjoy a FREE pass to our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium during our Earth Month Celebration held April 16 and 17.
This is a great opportunity for you and your friends to do something great in honor of Earth Day and Earth Month. Get involved! Volunteers must be 12 years old or accompanied by a parent.
Bags and gloves will be provided. However, to help cut down on the number of bags we use for our cleanups, please bring a bucket or bag from home
When: Friday, April 16th
Time: 10am-12pm
Where: Will Rogers State Beach, 15800 Pacific Coast Highway, at the end of Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, Map
What else: Register on-line, and please let us know If you are bringing a group of 10 or more.
Note: All cleanup volunteers must have a signed waiver form |
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Free Green Energy Training | |
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Green Living Workshop | 
Sign up for a Green Living Workshop to learn about environmental problems and sustainable solutions, which can have a positive impact on your life and the health of the planet.
Santa Monica Workshop Exclusive - Receive Eco-Toolkits for Workshop Completion
Participants now earn a special Eco-Toolkit filled with goodies when all workshop requirements are met. This is in addition to the items given to participants each week of the workshop series!
What You'll Learn
The Green Living Workshop covers the following topics, one per week:
Water | Energy | Waste | Chemicals | Transportation | 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.
$25 Suggested donation for Santa Monica residents.
$50 Suggested donation for Non-Santa Monica residents.
Choose a series from the list below that best fits your schedule.
Monday, April 18, 2011 6 Monday Meetings, Starting April 18, 2011: 4/18, 4/23, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16 & 5/23 7:00pm - 8:30pm Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6 Wednesday Meetings, Starting April 20, 2011: 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, and 5/25 7:00pm-8:30pm Santa Monica Public Main Library MAP Thursday, April 28, 2011 6 Thursday Meetings, Starting April 28, 2011: 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26, & 6/2 7:00pm-8:30pm Reserve your spot in a Green Living Workshop today!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Contact Gina Garcia with any questions.
Sustainable Works supports the City of Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan.
Sustainable Works is a project of Community Partners.
www.SustainableWorks.org |
Business @ Sunset Mixer
|  What: Join us for a night of food, drinks, and networking. Our mixers are hosted by a different Chamber member each month. With over 100 members at each event, it is a perfect way to network and make important business contacts
When: Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Ozumo, Santa Monica Place Mall, 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Map
Note: Prospective members may attend 2 events before joining the Chamber
Cost: $15 Member Pre-Sale, $20 Member at the door, $25 Prospective Member
What else: If you are NOT a member of the Chamber, you will need to create s login/password. If you ARE a member of the Chamber, and do not remember yout username/password, email membership@smchamber.com
Note: Prospective members may attend 2 events before joining the Chamber
Click here to purchase tickets |
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Santa Monica College Earth Month Activities | 
For Earth month SMC are offering a series of lectures, a beach cleanup, etc. for students and the public. All activities are free!
What: Lecture with Richard Kahn, an education professor at Antioch University in Los Angeles who specializes in "ecopedagogy," the teaching of envorinmental issues.
When: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Time: 11:15am
Where: Main Stage, Theatre Arts Complex, Main Campus, Map
What else: For more information, call (310) 434-3909
What: Earth Week EcoHero Awards Ceremony. SMC Facilities Planning Director Greg Brown and English professor Dana Morgan will be honored as "EcoHeroes" at the EcoHero Awards ceremony. They are being honored for working with students on the organic learning garden, the "ground blessing" of which will take place April 20th.
When: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Time: 1pm
Where: To Be Determined
What else: To RSVP and for more information, call (310) 434-3909
What: Screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary "The Garden" about a community garden in South Los Angeles that had to be relocated to an urban farm in Bakersfield. The screening will be followed by a Q-&-A with Scott Hamilton Kennedy, the film's producer and director, and Tezozomoc, a Southern California farmer.
When: Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Time: 1pm-2.30pm
Where: HSS Room 165, Main Campus, Map
What else: For more information call (310) 434-3909
What: The groundbreaking and Native American "ground blessing" of the new SMC organic learning garden, located between the Bookstore and the Art Complex.
When: Wednesday, April 20th 2011
Time: 4:30pm
Where: Main Campus (between the Bookstore and the Art Complex), Map
What else: Call (310) 434-3909 for more information
What: Earth Day Festival & Teach-In, featuring eco-themed music and art, vegan food, and an eco friendly digital photo booth.
When: Thursday, April 21, 2011
Time: 11am-1pm
Where: The Quad, Main Campus, Map
What else: Call (310) 434-3909 for more information
What: Beach Cleanup with Heal the Bay. The SMC community will come together in a day of service and cleanup of a local beach. SMC is becoming increasingly known for its sustainable practices. It was named a winner of Santa Monica's 2009 Sustainable Quality Awards for its progressive environmental practices and programs that range from education to recycling to transportation.
When: Friday, April 22, 2011
Time: 9am-12pm
Where: SMC Center for Environmental and Urban Studies, 1744 Pearl St., Santa Monica, Map
What else: For more information, call (310) 434-3909 |
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Share a Bag Program | |
Creating an exchange for durable reusable bags in the community. Secondhand shops and all residents are invited to join with the City in our efforts to get reusable bags in use in the community. It's fun to share!
Reusable Bag Giveaway Events
Pick-up your free, sturdy, reusable bag, sewn from reclaimed cloth for the City of Santa Monica by Green Vets LA.
April 21st, Ecofabulous Earth Week Event at Santa Monica College
Santa Monica Single Use Carryout Bag Ban Info |
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Celebrate the Earth with CELP! | 
When: Friday, April 22, 2011
Time: 2pm-4pm
Where: Children's Activity Room, Main Library - 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Join the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program as they present interactive and Earth-friendly demonstrations including eco-paper making, worm-composting, gardening and solar-baking. Grades K to 5 and their families. Sponsored by the Office of Sustainability and the Environment. Click here for more information
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Sustainable Works Featured Non-profit at Library Alehouse! | |
 What: Sustainable Works is going to be the featured non-profit for the month of April at Library Alehouse. Drawing tickets for three Patagonia items will be on sale all month for: 2 messenger bags (valued $119 & $99) and one Synchilla ($79 value). 10% of the fund raising day receipts will be donated to Sustainable works.
When: Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
Time: All day. Drawing of winner at 8.30pm
Where: Library Alehouse, 2911 Main Street
Santa Monica, Map
Note: You don't have to be present for the drawing in order to win
Click here for more information
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Santa Monica Urban Forest Task Force | |
The Santa Monica Urban Task Force will be meeting on April 27th to continue
their efforts to enhance and protect the tree canopy coverage of the entire city.
Date: Monday, April 27, 2011
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Santa Monica Public Main Library MAP
For more information. |
The Great L.A. River Cleanup
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City of Santa Monica Free Quarterly Compost Give Away | |
Gardeners have the opportunity to cart away free compost at Santa Monica's Quarterly Compost Giveaway, until supplies run out! Our compost is made from yard trimmings collected curbside every week and is processed at a nearby composting facility.
Compost has been recognized as a valuable soil amendment for centuries. You can use it in your garden to improve soil health, increase plant growth, and reduce the use of
water, chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Subsidized composting bins will be available for purchase by residents who want to make their own compost. Residents should bring shovels, gloves, containers, and proof of residency. While quantities are limited per resident, there will literally be tons of material to go around.
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2011
Start Time: 7:00am
Location: City Yards MAP
Contact: Kim Braun 310.458.8528
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Vintage Fashion Expo | 
What: The original vintage fashion expo. You are invited to join your fellow clotheshorses, fashion designers, costumers, celebs and fashion editors from all over the globe who visit our 5 yearly shows. Featuring 85 dealers of vintage clothing, accessories, textiles and more When: Saturday and Sunday, April 30th and May 1st, 2011 Early Buying: Sat. 9am-10.30am Regular Hours: Sat. 10.30am-6pm, Sun. 11am-5pm
Cost: Early buying hours, $20 admission . Regular hours, $10 admission. Auditorium parking $9
Where: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St, Map
Click here for more information
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Introducing Buy Local Market | |
Buy Local Santa Monica, the Chamber of Commerce, and your local business districts are excited to bring you BuyLocalMarket.com, a one-stop-shop for everything Santa Monica!
BuyLocalMarket.com is Santa Monica's own discount platform. We want to capture the tremendous interest generated by "daily-deal" sites like Groupon and Living Social, and direct it back to local businesses. Buy Local Market empowers you, the business owner, to create your own deals. You choose the products, the discounts, the expiration dates, and more and we help market the site as a whole. |
GORequest for the iPhone
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 See a pothole that needs filling? Graffiti making a mess of your neighborhood? Tap right into your city and report the issue fast with GORequest for the iPhone! Just open the app, select your issue, and take a picture - the app knows the location and who can fix it for you. No more time-consuming trips or phone calls - GORequest for the iPhone handles your issues when you're on the go!
GORequest for the iPhone is ready to help right now in your city.
...More
Government Outreach Web SiteGORequest Support
What's New in Version 1.1
- Automatic city selection
- Optionally remember issue type for subsequent issues
- Address look-up only if GPS accuracy is high enough
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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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