WHAT: The City of Santa Monica launched the HouseholdHazardousWaste Home CollectionPilot

Program, a pick-up service where the "Haz Mat" technician comes 

to you.  The goal is to expand levels of service for residents while reducing costs.  The service will be provided on a free and unlimited basis to homeowners and renters alike. 

The new service is provided in a few easy steps:

WHERE: At your house!

WHAT ELSE: Beginning September 17, 2011, the Household Hazardous Waste Center will be available for drop-off service on SATURDAYS ONLY (9 AM - 2 PM). If the pilot is successful, the center will close January 1, 2012.For additional information please visit sustainablesm.org/hhw or call (310) 458-2213. This service is provided by the Office of Sustainability and the Environment and WM Curbside Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Waste Management.  

WHAT: Earlier this year, the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation (SMMEF), in partnership with the Buy Local Santa Monica Committee, which includes City of Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. and Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of the Santa Monica business community, launched a new program called "Buy Local For Our Schools." The program is designed to raise awareness among students, parents, teachers and faculty about how buying local in Santa Monica not only supports local businesses but schools and community programs.

"Buy Local For Our Schools" kicked off with an in-school project focused on understanding the concept of Buy Local. Now "Buy Local For Our Schools" is spreading the message to students and parents that buying the supplies you need in Santa Monica, will actually help your school. Businesses signed up as part of the Buy Local program are offering a host of specials that meet every need, or directly give back to the SMMEF. The top ten include:

1. Agabhumi: The Best of Bali(2665 Main St): Agabhumi has two great items for back to school shopping. The Tie Dye Tote ($18) is the perfect solution for carrying around your soccer equipment, text books, or dirty laundry! Or how about some Friendship bracelets ($6-$8), available in hundreds of styles and colors, in cord or leather (buy 3 or more and they're just $5! Mention "Buy Local" and receive a 15% discount.
2. Cherry Picked Thrift Shop (2807-2809 Pico): Cherry Picked has all kinds of great back to school items for the entire family including lunch boxes, bicycle helmets, and huge discounts on all clothing while the weather remains warm! If you head there soon, you can catch Cherry Picked's Summer Clearance Sale (through mid- August).
3. Classic Kids Photography (1627 Montana Ave):Book a Classic Kids Photography mini-session anytime before September 30th and receive a specially discounted sitting fee of just $125! Beautiful custom artwork, holiday cards, products and more will be available for purchase following the shoot. Call to schedule an appointment, 310.395.1468.   
4. GoodsLA (1748 Ocean Park Blvd):This international gift store has all kinds of great items for back to school, including eco-friendly sustainably harvested birch journals; wooden Japanese multicolored pens; colorful striped plastic pencil cases, wallets, key chains, storage cubes; and lunch bags made by a women's co-op in Bolivia.
5. Peek...Aren't You Curious(1015 Montana Ave): Stock up on amazing Peek essentials all under $25, including boy's short sleeve solid tees $16 and girl's ribbed leggings $19.50 (available in a variety of colors and great for ages 2 - 12yrs). And check out fun accessories like Vapur Anti Water bottles, $10, and Mini Lunch Notes to brighten up boring bag lunches, $9.95.
6. Scribble Press (1109 Montana Ave): Design your own planner or calendar to keep track of homework assignments, play dates, lessons... perfect for all ages, from little ones to college students. Create a custom notebook for taking notes, scratching out math problems, or practicing for art class. Be the talk of the cafeteria with a custom-designed tin lunchbox.  Draw a picture in their art studio and in a few days, you'll have your very own lunchbox!
7. Siptea (1627 Montana Ave): Parents...you know you need that cup of coffee to get the kids off to school in the morning! Siptea is offering hot and cold travel mugs at a discount to the Buy Local For Our Schools Program. Eco Cup on Ice regularly $7.95, is only $6 and regular Eco Cups, regularly $8.95, are only $7. Save some money and save a cup from being put in a land fill.
8. The Closet Trading Company (2708 Main Street): This new resale and consignment boutique has all the brands girls love, like True Religion, Juicy and Free People at 70% off department and chain store prices. Even better, girls and moms can trade their own lightly worn fashion for a whole new wardrobe.
9. Twist (2601 17th Street):This season's must-have accessory for that first day of school is...feathers! Twist on 17th has feather earrings, necklaces and YES, even, feather hair extensions! They also have cute canvas flats...similar to those pricey ones with the fancy label... for just $22.
10. ZJ Boarding House (2619 Main Street): Santa Monica's premier local and online surf and skate shop is having a 4 day sale on all apparel and accessories in store from Thursday - Sunday August 11th-14th.They'll be discounting apparel, backpacks, shoes, watches, shades, hats and more from all your favorite surf and skate brands.  And on Sunday, August 14th they will be donating 5% of all purchases that are made to your favorite local school.

"People can make their Back-To-School purchases count even more this year," said Linda Greenberg Gross, Executive Director at SMMEF. "What many people don't realize is that for every $100 spent in Santa Monica, $45 stays in the community. That figure jumps up to $68 when we shop at a locally-owned independent store. Buying locally really helps the schools. Everyone can contribute just by buying what they need right here in Santa Monica."

To find more great Back to School and Buy Local specials, check out www.BuyLocalMarket.com, where 4% of every purchase is donated to the SMMEF. For more information on the Buy Local Santa Monica campaign, please visit www.buylocalsantamonica.com and check out the Events section for special event info.

Environmental and Urban Issues Speaker Series

WHEN: Tuesday nights at 6:30pm. They usually last about an hour, then go to questions and answers.

WHERE: All presentations will be in HSS 263 on the Main Campus on Tuesday nights and will start at 6:30, Map 

September 13: Santa Monica College and Sustainable Works for You!
Hear this latest update on how SMC is becoming a leader in environmental education and how Sustainable Works helps thousands of students, residents, and businesses save money and our environment with their mission of Environmental Education and Action. How can you participate?

October 4: Improving Life in Our Pico Neighborhood

Learn how the Pico Neighborhood Association is working to improve the quality of our living and working environments. How have they become a model of grassroots community participation that can change lives and landscapes for the better?

October 11: Air Pollution and Energy

Global Green President Matt Petersen joins us for an informative discussion about our energy choices and how they affect our air quality. How can we improve our health and economy in the long term by making wise choices that lead to cleaner air?

November 1: Solving our Transportation Crisis

Denny Zane shows how Move LA is lifting us up toward a more sustainable transportation future. How can we use our tax dollars more efficiently to offer a wider range of transportation choices that will make our communities better places to live?

November 22: Climate Change Facts and Our Future

We again welcome Matt Petersen from Global Green to share the latest research on and consequences of climate change. What is really happening to global climates, what causes these changes, and what can we do about it?

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. For SM Chambers and prospective members. Co-hosted by the Chamber's young professionals committee (Professionals Emerging as Business Leaders) and in promotional partnership with the Santa Monica Daily Press, this event is a perfect way to network and make important business contacts.  

All attendees will receive 2 drink tickets plus tray-passed appetizers.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at 5.30pm-7.30pm

WHERE: The Rooftop High Bar at Hotel Erwin, Venice Beach, Map

ADMISSION: $20 for members, $25 for prospective members. There is a limit of 115 attendees for this event and tickets will only be sold ONLINE.

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.

As one of the largest California Coastal Commission grant recipients, Heal the Bay uses the funds to manage and coordinate more than 600 cleanups annually along the Los Angeles County Coastline, from Malibu to San Pedro. At the cleanups, Heal the Bay staff collect 9,000 data cards annually, documenting the types of debris collected to demonstrate how much trash is found on each beach.

Named "Top Ten Beach Cities in the World" by National Geographic, Santa Monica also celebrated its "A" ocean water rating for all Santa Monica beaches. The improvement in water quality is a big score for Santa Monica, a progressive and proactive beach community. Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau facilitates an annual Beach Summit which has been the catalyst for a number of beach improvements in Santa Monica including trash valet service on the beach during summer; adding service enhancements to Perry's Beach Cafes; the passing of Measure V by residents and voters in 2006 to raise revenue for urban runoff management; replacing beach restrooms with a focus on added amenities, safety, cleanliness and sustainability; and establishing a police and neighborhood "beach beat" with additional security cameras and lighting at the beach for safety.