Eco-cocktailing

OK...the sustainability world needs more pool parties. I actually recall Paul Hawken and Vicki Robin saying many times that it's time to make this stuff a lot more fun and I'm pleased to report the Angella Lindvall and her Collage Foundation did just that on Sunday.

The party, held at a private home in Pacific Palasades and sponsored by Tanqueray, was actually an event to launch Collage's new website and online magazine. There were plenty of pretty faces there, but more importantly just as many people of substance including some established and new-to-the-list personal hereos: Julia Butterfly Hill, Van Jones, Tai Robinson of Hydrogen Hummer fame, biodiesel boy-wonder Josh Tickell, Wildlife Works' founder Mike Korchinsky and model/budding entomologist Summer Rayne Oakes.

Got to hang with the a few of the SSF-LA possy too: Susanne Donnegan - our LA Liaison and green interior designer extraordinaire and Colette Brooks - our favorite PR princess/surfer (Colette was responsible fore getting over 20 celebs to show up to the last few Oscars in hybrids). Good people, inspiring speakers, organic food, a solar-powered Jerry Cantrell...what more could a sustainable socialite ask for.

Finally, had a great meeting with Ruben and Lisa from Earth Communications Office (ECO) and Gavin Keilly on next year's OSSA Awards. Good times ahead.

photos: Angela Lindvall, Summer Rayne Oakes, Jerry Cantrell, Stephen Dorff

Spiritwalk and more

Had quite the busy day yesterday. Started the day with the 10th Annual Spiritwalk in Seattle to raise money for Seattle Indian Health Board programs. A short walk but a very important fundraiser with great people and amazing entertainment after the walk. It's my third year in a row and it's now an event I won't miss.

Next it was off on another whirlwind trip to LA to attend Collage Foundations's online magazine launch party. I decided to fly in today in order to see Sharon Lawrence (one of SSF's Style Ambassadors) perform in Steven Sondheims's Chicago. It was an amazing performance and afterward, Ruben Aronin (of ECO and I had a chance to chat with Sharon at the Hotel Bel-Air. We talked SSF, philosophy, physics, etc. One of those great Mindwalk conversations you long to have more of. I did get lost in the hills of Bel-Air on the way home so I guess life has a way of keeping you humble.

Loving LOHAS

The report from LOHAS. Yes indeed, had a really great tip to LA to attend the LOHAS 8 conference. Once again, Sharon Lawrence did a fabulous job plugging SSF during her welcoming remarks yesterday. She even picked up on my Zegna t-shirt! Zegna is one of my favorite lines that also happens to have a strong commitment to environmental responsibility...they're even making beautiful bamboo sportscoats these days. Check out Oasi Zegna too.

Shelley Billik, VP of Environmental Programs at Warner Brothers also put in a great plug during her session. Shelley is one of my favorite people in the world and along with Mary Tkatch at Aveda is one of my muses in starting SSF. Most importantly, I was amazed at all the sustainability efforts underway in the entertainment industry...always learning something new. Some other highlights from LOHAS include getting to chat with one of my heroes, Julia Butterfly Hill, running into Danny Seo and getting to hear Minnie Driver sing. Needless to say, I met many other amazing people that I hope SSF will have the opportunity to work with in the future. I've already put a few of their websites up on spotlight, but stay tuned for many more. And definitely put LOHAS on your calendar for next year.

Awards, environmental justice, and the Art Institute

Um, so yeah. I've not been doing such a great job keeping sslog up to date. I promise to do better :-)

So much to tell...we launched our OSSA Awards in LA on the 14th, as well as the LA chapter of SSF. It was a great time and I'm really psyched to start getting folks networked down in LA around SSF.

Recently attended the Community Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ) 3rd Annual Community Based Solutions for Environmental Health & Justice Conference here in Seattle. Amazing speakers including Chrystos and Damu Smith, director of the Washington, DC based National Black Environmental Justice Network and founder of Black Voices for Peace. Wow! Really inspiring.

And finally, today I gave a quick lecture at the Art Institute of Seattle in their sustainable design course. Great group of students and especially great discussion.

Going Grist for the week

No sslog this week in favor of my Dear Diary entries at Grist Magazine...do stop by and check it out. The whole thing just happened to coincide with my trip to LA so lots of stories and good times full of glam and glitz...well, some glam and glitz.