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| Sustainable Santa Monica Newsletter | May 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 May 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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Sustainable Santa Monica Student Poster Contest- WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!
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Thank you for the support from our wonderful Santa Monica teachers and families to help grow the 3rd annual Sustainable Santa Monica Student Poster Contest to the biggest year yet! A total of 641 entries from 21 local area schools were submitted.
Great work everyone!
This year's Poster Contest Theme was "Sustainable Food," and was sponsored by the City of Santa Monica's Office of Sustainability & the Environment, Sustainable Works, the Big Blue Bus and the Santa Monica Farmers Market.
--WINNERS--
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K-2
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Grand Prize
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Eyindiya Obasi
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Will Rogers Elementary
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Runner Up
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Elan Nadelman
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Grant Elementary
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Runner Up
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Mia Lekika
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Grant Elementary
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Honorable Mention
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Vivien Tierney
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Franklin Elementary
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Sanam Ismail
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Franklin Elementary
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3 - 5
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Grand Prize
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Maya Goren
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Grant Elementary
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Runner Up
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Riley Furton
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Grant Elementary
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Runner Up
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Makenna Dykstra
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Grant Elementary
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Honorable Mention
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Olivier Velde
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LA School
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6-8
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Grand Prize
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Mary Polhemus
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John Adams Middle School
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Runner Up
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Abigail Boyd
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Lincoln Middle School
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Runner Up
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Aminata Kalokoh
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Lincoln Middle School
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9-12
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Grand Prize
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Tessa Franke
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Santa Monica High School
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Runner Up
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Cole Kastner
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Santa Monica High School
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Runner Up
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Bethany Proctor
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Santa Monica High School
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--AWARDS CEREMONY--
  
 
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Santa Monica Festival
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Commemorating its 20th year, the Santa Monica Festival has evolved into a celebration of the unique intersection of art and the environment!
Festival-goers can celebrate Mother Earth and all moms this Mother's Day weekend with an eclectic mix of live music and dance, DIY art workshops utilizing recycled and repurposed materials, guilt-free shopping from vendors featuring earth-friendly artistic wares and local resources offered by a variety of City and local non-profit organizations. Welcome!
Click here for more information
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AltBuild Expo and Conference 2011
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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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Green Living Workshops
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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!
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.
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.
$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.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011: No Class 6/7 6 Tuesday Meetings, Starting May 3, 2011: 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, SKIP 6/7, & ending on 6/14 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Fairview Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405, Map
Click here to reserve your spot in a Green Living Workshop today!
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
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Santa Monica Farmers Market: Preserving the Bounty
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WHAT: We are in the midst of a canning revolution, from jams and marmalades to pickles. Learn from expert and artisanal preservers, chefs and farmers on how to "put up" the best of what the Market has to offer and enjoy your favorite fleeting fruits and veggies all year-round. Panelists include Windrose Farm's Barbara Spencer, master food preserver Kevin West, and Valerie Gordon, owner of Valerie Confections. Moderated by KCRW's Good Food host Evan Kleiman. All ages are welcome.
WHEN: Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 7pm-9pm
WHERE: Santa Monica Public Library, Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, Map
COST: Free! Click here for more information! |
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May is Bike Month!
...and Santa Monica is Celebrating with a Host of Activities!
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Bike To Work Day is May 19!
WHAT: Bike to work on Thursday, May 19 and come by one of the Pit Stops hosted throughout the City for snacks, extra-special goodies and bike info. Find out more about the City's Bike Action Plan and the new Bike Transit Center opening this fall in downtown Santa Monica. And if the ride is long or a full day at work makes it a challenge to pedal home, go multi-modal: Big Blue Bus and Metro are offering FREE rides to bicyclists all day on May 19.
WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 2011
PIT STOPS PLANNED AT:
City Hall lawn, 1685 Main Street, Map
REI, Inc., 402 Santa Monica Blvd., Map
Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1920 Main street, Map
Water Garden, 2450 Colorado Ave. in front of the Subway - 8-10 am, Map
Sustainable Streets/SMC CEUS - 17th and Pearl, Map (exact location TBD)
ADDITIONAL INFO: Most Pit Stops are open 6am-9am, but final locations and hours are up to the individual sponsor. Be sure to check Metro's web site Bike Week LA beforehand for the latest info.
Santa Monica Festival May 7 Celebrates all things Bicycle! WHAT: Ride your bike to the Santa Monica Festival! Valet park it, learn how to fix it, get a license, hone your riding skills, learn about bike safety and join in a cycling themed art workshop. Have your bike parked for free on 25th Street at Ocean Park Blvd. Bikerowave will offer lessons in do-it-yourself bicycle repair, maintenance advice and safe riding tips. The Planning and Community Development Department will offer a Bike Learning Area where you can practice defensive driving techniques and how to ride safely in the street. Track your trek by filling in a scrap book preloaded with inspiring bike quotes, illustrations, cycling tips and rules of the road at the Santa Monica Museum of Art's Ticket to Ride booth. Finally, enjoy Santa Monica Spoke's exhibition. This bike advocacy organization wants to make streets safe and comfortable for everyone. With over 30 bikes on view, they will showcase the adaptability of bikes and how they can enhance your lifestyle and keep you healthy. WHEN: Saturday, May 20th, 2011, at 11am-6pm WHERE: Cloverpark, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Map WHAT ELSE: Be safe, wear a helmet! 
WHAT: Join the Santa Monica Museum of Art and Buy Local Santa Monica for a day of culture, style, and cycling! This half-day bike excursion includes: A tour of SMMoA's current exhibitions, studio visits with artist Blue McRight and architect Warren Wagner of W3 Architects, preview McRight's recent work and Wagner's exciting green living projects. Also a rest stop at the Frank Gehry-designed Edgemar Center to learn about the Buy Local Program with the Main Street Merchants Association. Riders are welcome to stay on Main Street for a guided walking tour or return to SMMoA. WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2011, 10am-1pm
WHERE: Santa Monica Museum of Art, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Map
WHAT ELSE: Participation fee is $10 (Free for SMMoA members: RSVP to education@smmoa.org), buy your ticket here. Ride leadership provided by Santa Monica SPOKE. |
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Share a Bag Program
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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. - May 6th, Friday 3-6 pm, Cinco de Mayo Festival, Will Rogers Elementary School Event
- May 7th, Saturday, Santa Monica Festival, Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Boulevard, w/ Rosie's Girls*
Rosie's Girls Santa Monica will provide bag decoration workshops. Rosie's Girls is based on a national program designed to build self-esteem, leadership and physical confidence in middle school girls through an exploration of trades and non-traditional activities.
Santa Monica Single Use Carryout Bag Ban Info |
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Green Business Networking
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WHAT: On the second Tuesday of every month, you're invited to the only pure networking event for owners and decision-makers of LA's green businesses. Delicious organic snacks, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 6pm-9:30pm
WHERE: G2 Gallery, 1503 Abbot Kinney, Venice 90291, Map
COST: $15 at door, $10 pre-pay online
WHAT ELSE: For further event information, please contacts us at greenbusinessnetworking@gmail.com
AND: Did you know BGN events are also recycling collection points? Bring your old batteries, cell phones, clean, dry and empty plastic shopping bags, dry cleaning bags and newspaper wrappers, and we will properly dispose of them for you!
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Green Garden Academy
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May's class: Edible Landscaping
WHAT: Learn how to incorporate edibles into your garden, including raised vegetable beds and planters. Discover special planting tips to maximize your yield!
WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:30pm-1:30pm
WHERE: Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Map
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The Flip-Flop Replay!
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WHAT: Old Navy launched the first retail-sponsored flip-flop recycling program in partnership with the TerraCycle company. Costumers can bring in old flip-flops and Old Navy will recycle them by turning them into children's playgrounds.
WHEN: Friday April 22 through Saturday May 5, 2011
WHERE: All Los Angeles Old Navy stores are participating, find your local store here! |
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Beach Cleanups in May
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WHAT: Heal the Bay's monthly Nothin' But Sand cleanups are open to all. Volunteers must be 12 years old or accompanied by a parent. Bags and gloves will be provided. To help cut down on the number of bags we use for our cleanups, please bring a bucket or bag.
WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 9am-12pm
WHERE: Dockweiler State beach, 11999 Vista Del Mar,
Playa del Rey, CA 90293, Map
WHAT ELSE: Register online, 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
WHAT: Surfrider Beach Cleanup at County Line. Beach Cleanups are the most immediate action you can take to make our coasts and ocean cleaner and healthier. They are a great way to publicly declare your concern for our local beaches to the various visitors and tourists that frequent them. By picking up trash before it enters the ocean, you prevent the cigarette butts and plastic, which often get mistaken for food, from being eaten by sea animals.
WHEN: Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 9am-10am
WHERE: Yerba Buena Road, at PCH, Malibu, Map
WHAT ELSE: For more information, please contact bcu@surfriderwlam.org
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GORequest for 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 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 iPhone handles your issues when you're on the go!
Click here for more information
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WHAT: SMC Environmental Lecture Series: Why Your Next Car Will Be an EV
Our local electric vehicle expert and celebrity Paul Scott returns. He will update us on the latest electric vehicle technology and development and share his views through his window into our transportation future. After the lecture there will be a question and answer session.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at 6:30pm-7:45pm
WHERE: Santa Monica College, Bundy Campus room 123, 3171 South Bundy Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90066, Map
WHAT ELSE: Limited seats! Seating is strictly on first-arrival basis.
WHAT: SMC Environmental Lecture Series: Green Screens are Growing
Join our environmental films expert and filmmaker Professor Sheila Laffey, PhD, as she explores the wealth of exciting new films that are challenging and transforming the film industry and our culture to become more sustainable.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 6:30pm-7:45pm
WHERE: Santa Monica College, Bundy Campus room 123, 3171 South Bundy Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90066, Map
WHAT ELSE: Limited seats! Seating is strictly on first-arrival basis.
WHAT: Sustainable Building Advisor Certificate Program Information Meeting Learn from course planners and graduates how the upcoming SBA course can help you: identify and articulate key sustainable building practices; apply LEED, Build It Green, and other relevant criteria and guidelines; evaluate the applicability of sustainable building measures; assess the credibility of information available on sustainable building products and services; and develop a network of regional resources. WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2011, at 9:30am-11:30am WHERE: Santa Monica College, Bundy Campus room 329, 3171 South Bundy Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90066, MapWHAT ELSE: Click here for more information
WHAT: Sustainable Landscape Design: Plant Material & Lawn Alternatives
Success stories and tips for safe lawn removal, choosing plants to replace lawn, planting in parkways, and irrigating groundcovers. Learn how to choose climate appropriate plants, and create hydrozones. Also learn how to factor design height and growth elements into a sustainable landscape design that minimize pests, and lowers maintenance.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 4pm-7pm WHERE: Santa Monica College, Bundy Campus room 435, 3171 South Bundy Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90066, Map
WHAT ELSE: Professionals only. Click here for more information
WHAT: Sustainable Landscape Intallation: WBIC Programming
Find out how to program the latest weather based irrigation controllers in a live lab. Develop an irrigation schedule based on the evapotransporation rates of plants, soil texture and irrigation system.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 4pm-7pm
WHERE: Santa Monica College, Bundy Campus room 435, 3171 South Bundy Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90066, Map
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Oil never wears out, it just gets dirty
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Have you ever wondered what happens to all the used motor oil that gets drained out of your engine?
Most of it gets burned off as a cheap source of fuel for shipping vessels transporting goods, including oil, across the oceans. By closing the recycling loop with re-refined oil fleet managers and do-it-yourself mechanics can help minimize this wasteful practice. The City of Santa Monica recently partnered with Evergreen Oil to collect waste motor for free from the following five locations; the Household Hazardous Waste Center, Community Recycling Center, Big Blue Bus, Fleet Maintenance, and Airport.
The City generates approximately 2,700 gallons of used motor oil per month from its fleet of approximately 900 vehicles and from do-it-yourself mechanics that participate in the used oil and filter recycling program. This is enough waste oil to produce 1890 gallons of re-refined motor oil, which can be used to operate the same vehicles it came from. That's equivalent to 34 drums of virgin oil every month that is no longer being extracted from the ground.
Evergreen Oil will then transport the waste oil to its refinery in Newark, CA to produce re-refined base oil. This base oil is certified by the American Petroleum Industry (API) and meets all the specifications of automobile manufacturers. The base oil is then sold to blenders who combine it with an additive package and distribute it through-out the market under their name brands. Most brands do not advertise or market that they are using re-refined oil. Chances are you have already been using re-refined base oil in your vehicle without even knowing it.
Oil never wears out, it just gets dirty! The City has been using re-refined oil in all of its vehicles for more than a decade so it only makes sense that it should re-refine its used motor oil. With this new partnership Santa Monica is helping to close the recycling loop, ensuring that used motor oil is recycled safely, minimizing air pollution, purchasing environmentally preferable products, and saving itself money.
For more information on how you can participate in this program,
or if you would like to convert your fleet to re-refined oil,
please contact James Conway with the Office of Sustainability and the Environment
at (310) 458-8711 or james.conway@smgov.net
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Free Compost Education!
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WHAT: Want to start composting but don't think you have the room? We can give you a hand by answering some key questions at a composting workshop at Virginia Park. Whether you are looking to keep food scraps out of the landfill, find out how to improve your current composting operation or have never heard of composting but are interested, this workshop is for you.
WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2011
WHERE: Virginia Park, 2200 Virginia Ave Park Map
WHAT ELSE: For more information, email us at recycling@smggov.net
ALSO: Come visit our booth and learn about composting and reuse at the Santa Monica Festival!
WHEN: Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 11am-6pm
WHERE: Cloverpark, Santa Monica, Map
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Buy Local Santa Monica
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WHAT: B
uy Local Santa Monica is having a fun, monthly competition to find out the "most loved" businesses in Santa Monica. Pick three Santa Monica businesses that you love and have supported this month, tell us about it + get a chance to win a prize! Prizes include limited edition Buy Local SM tee-shirts, bags + gift certificates from Buy Local businesses! We also invite you to come visit us at the upcoming Santa Monica Festival where we'll be having a Buy Local bag decorating booth for the kids (back by popular demand)!
WHEN: All month
WHERE: www.buylocalsm.com/project350
WHAT ELSE:
We also invite you to come visit us at the upcoming Santa Monica Festival where we'll be having a Buy Local bag decorating booth for the kids (back by popular demand!).
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Business @ Sunset Mixer
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WHAT: Santa Monica Chamber's monthly mixer! 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. Enjoy food, drinks, and the unique touch added by each host. For SM Chambers and prospective members.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at 5:30pm-7:30pm
WHERE: Bubba Gump, 301 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Map
ADMISSION: $15 members (in advance), $20 members (at the door, $25 prospective members
WHAT ELSE: To purchase tickets, click here. If you are NOT a member of the Chamber, you will need to create a login/password. If you ARE a member of the Chamber, and do not remember you username/password, email membership@smchamber.com
NOTE: Prospective members may attend 2 events before joining the Chamber.
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Free Green Energy Training
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Big Cash Rebates Available for Sustainable Landscapes
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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.
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.
Rebates for clothes washers and other water-saving products - up to $300, visit www.bewaterwise.com. Restrictions apply.
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.
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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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