viva verde

I am still recovering my old-bones from a few events that i participated in this past weekend. One of which was on Saturday: the Tree Huggers Ball.

The 4th-annual installment of this locals-only-eco-community-event is located in Baker Canyon, in the absolutely GORGEOUS Santiago Mountains by locals who live in the area.  I must say that the location was simply wonderful, but a bit of a trek to get out there.

(the view above from where we were stationed!)

This was my first year to the event, and i had no idea what to expect, however one i did at least think of was the extreme HEAT that was a result of a heatwave that made the situation one that was less than comfortable.  I dont know how someone could combat this while planning an event, we still were not in the main hot-weather month to really see this, but still, it was pretty intense.  My advice: bring your own ice and a spritzer bottle to pamper yourself in the shade.

The event, overall was fun; my cohort for the day, Lisa a water conservation specialist  was so great with the temp and everything, thank you Lisa for your help!

(that’s Lisa workin’ the booth! go Lisa!!)

i do however, have some tips for next year, just from my observation with green events and just general green-living:

1. always serve a vegetarian meal as the main course: BBQ was the fair by-in-large and that didnt seem to make sense with being “eco”

(love tie-dye, but these would ROCK as flags for the event)

2. with such a large natural space, a large compost pile would have been key to making the event as low impact as possible.

3. the port-o-potties after 7pm where in the dark!  yeah, try doing your business in one of those with no lights, not fun!

4. there needed to be more small-group activities to get folks in the “mood” for staying longer and participating.

5. keep the corn cups out of the sun cause the melt!

(good thing: THE LOST BEAN- these guys rock!)

It is starting to get hot, but it has been pretty manageable in here with my collection of fans (arranged in such a way as to create a constant flow of air).  Yet last night we had a rather large book-signing event here and, let’s just say, the white wine  and chilled sangria was a hit!  It was a little warm.

Personally i am perfectly fine without AC, an iced drink and fan are really all you need (and for crying out loud, save the big physical activities for evening!), but i have to tell you, in this old building it gets hot!

Last year, i had our front windows tinted with a  ceramic glaze that block out a majority of UV rays and limits heat, which is great for the furniture but come August, i was literally going to pass out.  More importantly, i was embarrassed that customers where so uncomfortable that they could not stay for very long.

So this year, i am  getting a small AC unit.

  obviously, i am doing the Energy Star bit and i started my journey by finding out what  properly sized unit i would need for the space.

The store is separated into 3 sections:  the original space (which has a small unit in the back, so it is fine), and the main room where the front room is about 700 sqft and the back, about 500 (has a unit, but it kind of sucks).  My goal is to cool the main room and replace the back with back’s unit with something that can be turned on but not often,

According to Energy Star, i am going to need one at 10,000 BTU and the main one at 18,000 BTU (yikes!).

The good unit I have right now is made by a company called Haier, so i started with them and hey, they had a pretty good selection, plenty with Energy Star labels.

the one on the left is 17,000 BTU and is around $550

the  one on the left is 5,200 BTU is about $200  and also reduces allergy-causing dust/pollen.

if you think about it, it is not really that bad.

if you have any other suggestions, let me know!

OCTA (aka Orange County Transportation Authority), is working the fuel crunch BigTime with fee fare for this week.

Don’t want to bus-it? think it is going to make you late or cramp your style? Hello, this is what it comes down to:

1) fuel cost is a b~ why not save a few gallons for when you REALLY need it

2) why force yourself into dealing with road-rage, people who don’t signal and staring at a car’s bumper for a good 15 minutes of your life in traffic (at least)!

3) oh yeah, once you get to where you are going, there’s always parking

4) the occasional speeding/parking ticket…(OK-so this mostly pertains to me)

Public Transport is so normal in every other place in the high-density, 1st-world-world….if it can be done here, it can be done anywhere! WATCH ME!

PS: i dare you do try the bus 1 time this month, yes in June!

I have been thinking about bringing in some cardboard pieces to kind of change things up. We have so much here, gotta do something with it (we recycle or ship back out whatever we have so hold your tongue!) that is creative.

While on my search for inspiration, i ran across this AWESOME site for Swedish recycled cardboard furniture-Retur Design Studio.

(umm this doesn’t look like the crap i have in our recycle bin)

(check this out- LOVE IT!)

pieces range from $100 to $1000 (make sure you do the currency exchange first). The only issue i have is the distance shipping….but i am definitely inspired.

On the list for future holiday gifts is this great find: dog portraits from Nepal.

Michelle Page, founder of the site, became intrigued by the various “danger dog” signs she saw in Nepal and also noticed that these artisan signs were being replaced by high-tech graphics. She now sell the artworks to galleries everywhere and in return saving livelihoods.

This is such a great idea for a gift (i believe they do cats as well), so personal and comic, but meaningful in the preservation of global arts and man’s best friend.

I am currently selecting a photo of my beloved daughter Sweet Pea for what will be the greatest masterpiece known to humankind…

(one of the many photos for consideration)

If you end up ordering one of these, please be sure to let me know so that i can have it shown on this blog.

for the past 2+ days i have been trying to survive a nasty flu. Mind you, i rarely never get sick…and if i do, it is usually right after the holidays (after a 20-hour/7 day a week/ 2 month holiday season). But this has disabled me until now, 11pm in which i am already feeling tired after typing the past few lines….

So my point: in my fevered state, i listened to NPR and heard about the new costs as a result of the fuel crunch-Extra Baggage. Yes, many of the big airline companies are charging around $15 for your first check-in luggage item on domestic and even international flights (and higher costs for more, no doubt). People are pissed and writing about it.

Me?- I thought they always did that…

For those who know me, I have always traveled (domestic or international), with the shirt on my back and a smile that i was going some place different. Maybe a bag with “bare-necessities” that could get me out of a bind: Lonely Planet book, chopsticks, sleep-sack, basic meds for a bad food experience, journal & pen, a few photos of home, good book that i like reading A LOT, tampons, and the FEW other things that were so needed that the chore of getting them in the “new place” would take up more time than being there.

Most “things” can be purchased anywhere. And sure they are not going to “be” like the one at home, but that kind of makes you experience the place, and heck, you are going home eventually so suck-it-up!

but just in case, i found this great site that can help you measure your belongings and help you figure out what you cannot live without.

OK have to go back to bed, so tired…

i was forwarded this great thing to do in September: PARK(ing) DAY!

What is Parking Day you ask?  Started a few years back from a collective of artists, designers and activists, Parking Day is a celebration and call-to-action for public space.

How so? By parking yourself with greenery and vegetation with a hint of creativity.

(bringing the park to you!)

(lounging in the sidewalk park in NY)

this is such a great idea!  THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THE OC PEOPLE!

Just to quell some fears for those who might be doubtful, I have calculated the costs & benefits to both types of “parking”::

conventional parking: lots of oil and trash, road rage, idling and wasting fuel, leaving the scene as soon as you park, not talking to people or enjoying life.

Parking Day: making things clean and beautiful, hanging out and meeting people, relaxing and no rage, making a case for urban beautification/public space, having fun, getting your green on….

PARKING DAY IS SEPTEMBER 19th, 2008

if anyone is interested in participating, please contact our store and we will lead you to people who are working on bringing this event locally!