Eight films and television programs were awarded for their outstanding contributions to protect our environment. Winners included Walt Disney Studios Earth, the film The Cove, the show Brothers and Sisters and also the children’s animated Wild About Safety-Timon and Pumbaa: Safety Smart Goes Green.

The Environmental Media Association was founded by Lyn and Norman Lear and Cindy and Alan Horn back in 1989. Their main goal is to “honor film and television productions and individuals that increase public awareness of environmental issues and inspire personal action on these issues.”

With the green movement continuing to receive Hollywood support, we’re sure the EMA founders are proud.  The green community of LA was out in full force to celebrate the event too including Sarah Backhouse and Taryn Hipwell of  Eco Divas TV, Lauren Selman of Ecorazzi, Sarah Shewey of Pink Cloud Events and others.

Sarah Backhouse and YDT’s  Tracy Hepler were styled courtsey of Vie Bungalow in sustainably stylish Elena Garcia.

To learn more about the Environmental Media Association, check out www.ema-online.org

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Earlier this summer, we announced how readers can “stay cool” with our green spa of the month guide provided courtesy of Chill Out LA. Founded by Erin Mahoney Harris, author of the book Walking LA, Chill Out LA is a free site and newsletter that reviews spas and their services as well as yoga studios and other fitness facilities.

On August 11^th, readers of both Chill Out LA and Your Daily Thread will get to experience a hybrid at its best when we partner together for  “Chill Out at Bambu Thai Spa.”

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Chill Out (and Veg Out) at Bambu Thai Spa

This event is about achieving radiance, both inside and out. Belly Bliss Catering will be serving up farm-fresh, mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres and decadent raw food desserts will be provided by Sunpower Natural Cafe. Guests will quench their thirst with revitalizing and refreshing herbal beverages from Tibetan Tea.

All guests will be treated to their choice of a mini “vegan facelift” or Thai massage and foot and hand scrubs will be available.  To RSVP and get exact details visit our event page here.

SPAS OF THE MONTH

Let’s face it—we could all use a little yoga. And while there are so many great studios, yogis and varying practices, this week we are featuring “The Hub” over on the West Side. Part of the green studio movement, it has a great blog, intro pricing and breathwork sessions. Check out its listing and map on Chill Out LA here.

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You’ll get to experience this place firsthand if you can attend the August 11^th event. Located at 12412 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, the center offers massage, facial and foot treatments using organic, vegan products. Bambu Thai Spa listing on Chill Out LA.

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Amrit Davaa Wellness Center

According to Chill Out LA, “Amrit Davaa Wellness Center is located inside the serenely upscale surroundings of Golden Bridge Yoga in Hollywood. In keeping with the studio’s philosophy, this mini spa focuses on Reiki, acupuncture and nutritional counseling in addition to typical spa services like massage, facials and pedicure.” We love this holistic approach, afterall what good is a beauty treatment if you aren’t taking care of the body to receive it? Here is the full review on Amrit Davaa Wellness Center.

All in all, nothing says summer like taking it easy and treating yourself to a few guilty pleasures. Everything in life requires balance, even our mind, bodies and soul. And for those of you who aren’t the spa-going type, don’t worry. We will have some great upcoming articles on Beauty products and treatments you can make for yourself from home.

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Despite its gridlock and congestion, L.A. is a bikeable place. With 350 miles of bike lanes and paths in place and more on the way, it seems that our city is warming up to the biking community.  According to Metro’s website, 30% of individuals who have tried bicycle commuting continue to do so.

On May 14th, commuters are encouraged to leave their cars at home and bike to work. There will be pit stops throughout the city sponsored by local organizations (such as the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coaltion). There, you can meet fellow bicyclists, break for refreshments, and win prizes and giveaways (click here for locations throughout L.A.).

Plus L.A. County transit bus operators are offering free rides for bicyclists on this day only as well. Participating lines include Metro LA, Beach Cities Transit, Culver City Bus, Pasadena ARTS bus, Santa Clarita Transit, Norwalk Transit, and others.

Check out Metro LA’s website to take the pledge to ride your bike to work and you’ll also be entered to win cool prizes.

Don’t want to wait until Thursday to ride your bike? You don’t have to, Monday was the start of  Bike To Work Week.  Check out a listing of local bike related events happening around town via greenlagirl here and Metro LA sponsored events here.

Other Useful Links:

L.A. Bike To Work Day

California Bike To Work Week

Bike To Work CO2 Calculator

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

Orange 20 Bikes (Tracy’s Local Bike Shop Pick)

Download a L.A. County Bike Map here.

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We’ve highlight a some of our favorite posts from the past year that focus on this important cause.

For those of you who need a refresher, we’ve included a brief description from ydt Co-Founder Lauren Johanson who use to be the assistant manager of 10,000 villages, the  only Fair Trade certified store in southern California and a pioneer in the U.S. Fair Trade movement.

What is Fair Trade?

The Short of it: Fair Trade means that the people who made the product you are buying were paid “fairly” and generally treated with dignity.

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The Long of it:
1. Payment of a fair price to the artist, as defined by the local context.
2. Safe and healthy working conditions (think anti-sweat shops).
3. Gender equity – promoting women’s’ rights.
4. Direct, long-term relationships with producers, including advance payment and pre-harvest loans (often connected with micro-financing).
5. Re-investment in communities – promoting health care, education, etc.
6. Democratically run cooperatives.
7. Environmental responsibility.
8. Transparency & accountability.
9. Some organizations, like Ten Thousand Villages, offer technical assistance, market information and product development support.
10. Customers in “the West” (developed world) gain access to and appreciation for Fair Trade products from “the South” (underdeveloped world).

For more information on World Fair Trade Day be sure to visit  the World Fair Trade Organization.

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Best of Fair Trade on ydt!

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Coffee Shops That Serve Up Fair Trade Brew: A listing of coffee shops from Culver City to Downtown, Santa Monica to Silver Lake and even in between that serve up delicious Fairly Trade coffees, teas and espressos.  Please feel free to let us know of any cafes that didn’t make our list.

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Fair Trade Extras – For Sports and Home:  For Sports, athletic equipment that is made fairly (without child labor) and harvests resources from FSC (Forrest Stewardship Council) monitored forrests.  For home, the L.A. based S.P.I.R.A.L Foundation teaches handicrafts to individuals in Vietnam and Nepal in order to make and sell handmade designs.  Artisans are paid fairly and the organization helps these individuals recieve health care, take language classes, get the necessary vaccinations and more.

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Fair Trade Links:

10,000 Villages - Pioneer in US Fair Trade and only FT store in Los Angeles.

Fair Trade LA – A open group who are working for proactive solutions in this global movement.

Fair Trade Resource Network – Good general resource. 

Global Exchange - Internship opportunities, “Reality Tours“, etc.

Make Trade Fair – In connection with Oxfam International.

Co-op America - “Economic Action for a Just Planet.”

Certification bodies:  FTC, WFTO and FTF

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Its been a rough week for me, anyone else?  If you need some rest and relaxation head over to one of Silver Lake’s best eco-shops for a “spa night.”  Nettie Davis, the creator of Nettie Scrub will be there showing off her natural scrubs that leave your skin feeling super soft and smell delicious.  Melissa Graves of the heat therapy “wellness bags” will be there showing off her products too.  Did I mention free chair massage and hand treatments?  Plus free wine, juice and snacks too.
Location:  All Shades of Green, 3038 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles CA 90039 MAP Date/Time:  Thursday, April 30, 2009  6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m   Web:  www.allshadesofgreen.net Phone: 323-665-7454  image via greenlagirl

As if being green wasn’t a pay off in itself, now you can get freebies for your efforts.  In an attempt to go greener the Mariott Hotel in Marina Del Rey is offering free bike valet, plus a free appetizer and drink at its roof top bar Glow for all patrons who bicycle there from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Location:  Glow,  4100 Admiralty Way Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 MAP Date/Time:  Every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Phone:  310-578-4152    Web: http://www.glow-bar.com/

Hate the Mall?  I know I do.  If you’re like me head over to the California Market Center this weekend to shop Unique Los Angeles and support local design.  There will be 275 different local vendors, artists and community organizations from around Los Angeles.  They even have a “green room” that is dedicated exclusively towards eco-friendly vendors.  Did I mention that have a DIY center, free wine, beer and Silver Lake’s MALO restaurant will have a pop up café there?  50% of ticket proceeds will benefit City-Labs, a non-profit that helps with community service fairs.
Location:  California Market Center Penthouse, 110 East Ninth Street, LA, CA 90015 MAP
Date/Time:  Sat/Sun May 2nd  11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and May 3rd 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.   Admission:  $5, purchase tickets here.  Web:  www.uniquelosangeles.com

Come check out this self-guided walking tour, that includes the iconic Venice canals.  The tour will visit historic Venice landmarks like the Venice  Beach House and 25 to 30 gardens and homes on the tour (including many drought tolerant gardens as well.)   All proceeds will benefit the Las Doradas Children’s Center in Venice.  Biking to the event is encouraged as parking will be difficult.  The tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine.)  For more information please visit their website.
Location: Las Doradas Children’s Center 804 Broadway, Venice, CA 90291
(corner of Broadway & Pleasantview, 1 block west of Lincoln Blvd)   MAP Date/Time:  Saturday, May 2, 2008  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission:  $60  Purchase Tickets here Web:  www.venicegardentour.org

Know a green event that I didn’t mention?  Comment below and we’ll add it to the ydt events Calendar.  Happy Weekend!

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Beauty and Fashion events

Sustainably Stylish Earth Day Soiree:

Jenny Wax, Maya Fines and TYSA are joining forces for a sample sale and skin care tips using eco-friendly products.  Also be entered in the “Green Goddess” raffle by bringing in 5 recyclable items to support Olympic volley ball hopeful Alyma Dorsey.

The event  takes place on 4/22 from 12pm – 8pm     in Santa Monica, Private Residence RSVP for Details to 310-457-3027 or email nichole@tysadesigns.com

“Out of the Ordinary” fashion event with host Dita Von Teese :

Shades Natural Color Studio is taking you down the green carpet to “preview the “Out of the Ordinary” fashion collection featuring reworked, recycled vintage pieces curated by legendary green advocate Doris Raymond.”  Paige Padgett will be doing makeup and Shades stylists will be on hand to do your hair.  100% of event proceeds will go towards green charities.

Takes place on 4/22 from 6 to 9 p.m.  Location:  The Way We Wore Boutique
334 S. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles CA 90036  RSVP to Shades All Natural shadescolorstudio@gmail.com

Change Your Hair, Change the World with The Doves Studio

Doves Studio will be donating 10% of their profits made on Earth Day to Heal the Bay.  Hair clippings collected on this day will be given to “Matter of Trust” which are made into mesh hair mats to soak up oil spills.

The event takes place on 4/22 on business hours 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Location: The Doves Studio 2000 Main St  Santa Monica, CA 90405.  Make an appt:  310-399-7654

Food and Entertainment:

O! Burger:   Mother Earth Day Lunch + Learn What does it mean to our children.

Come learn about the importance of eating nutricious, organic food at save 15% off too!

Date/Time:  4/22 from 2pm – 4pm   O!burger 8593 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069

Book Signing – At Locali Conscious Convenience

Come get a signed copy of The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City and get some convenient to go food like organic tamales and vegan donuts.

Date/Time:  4/22 from 7 to 8 p.m.  Locali Conscious Convenience 5825 Franklin Avenue Los Angeles 90028

Community Events:

Economy, climate change, jobs and energy:  Climate Conversation on Earth Day

Join in the conversation happening all day at Metro Headquarters at Union Station in Downtown LA.
Date/Time:  4/22 from 7:30am – 7 p.m Metro Headquarters One Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, California 90012

Silver Lake Earth Day Ball:

Join the  Silver Lake community in collecting discarded plastic bags to create a giant plastic ball to demonstrate the amount of trash we create and to honor the businesses who have pledged to stop using plastic.

Date/Time:  4/22 from 10am – 4pm    Triangle Square at Sunset Junction 3700 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles 90026

The 2nd Annual Wilshire Center Earth Day/ Car Free Day

Unlike last year there will not be any road closures, rather the community will gather in a open space.  Bring your unwanted E-waste for recycling and check out organic food vendors, free trees from “Million Trees LA” and dance troops from around LA.

Date/Time:  4/22 from 11am – 2pm  3700 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles CA

Green Dot Awards First Annual Ceremony

Come honor those green do gooders in our community.  The awards “strive to reward and promote forward-thinking businesses that create environmentally friendly products or services, and to reward revolutionary green business plans and proposals.”

Date/Time:  4/22 from 6 to 9 p.m.  Location Pacific Design Center 8687 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles.  RSVP at  www.greendotawards.com

Downtown Green Drinks = I Heart Earth Night:

Head to the eco-friendly Pharmaka Gallery for a night of Eco stimulating conversation. “The event celebrates Earth Day through an informal atmosphere to bring environmentally-minded people together over an organic beverage in a space focused on socially relevant art and topics. Plus, come participate in the special ‘I Heart Earth’ group canvas.”   The first 50 attendees will receive a free bag.  There is a suggested $5 donation.

Date/Time:  4/22 from 7pm – 10pm    Location:  Pharmaka Gallery, 101 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 at Main Street

Check out additional Earth Day events, including ongoing events happening this weekend at yourdailythread.com/events

If you’re interested in doing some volunteer work please check out volunteer post.

image via I Heart Earth Night (Green Drinks) from Jessica Peltz

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However, I’m happy to report that since I made a vision board last summer, started reciting varying weekly affirmations and even created lists of dreams that I wanted to become realities, things have totally improved for me. A year later I am writing, I am healthier and happier and I am making a difference in my community.

Therefore it was only natural when I met Debbie Spears, owner of True West Creative and Founder of the

The For Me, Not You t-shirt line is not just fashionable, friendly and fun. It shows that we are more than just the labels we wear-our clothes can in fact help us have purpose. For Me, Not You shirts are 100 % organic cotton and offer a variety of messages with designs that are printed on the inside of the shirt. Believing that, “Peace starts within,” Spears designed the line with the wearer in mind.

“Most people wear T-shirts with the messages facing others, and many of the messages today are negative. I believe we need to be more aware of what we are putting on our bodies and how that affects us-and the people around us.”

Whether you want “Peace/Harmony,” “Love/Gratitude,” “Good Fortune” or “Abundance/Prosperity” among the other affirmations available to choose from, For Me, Not You has something for everyone. A little positive energy goes a long way and it doesn’t hurt to wear your intention in style this summer.

Lucky YDT readers: Comment on this article and share with us in our forum how your peace starts within every day and win a For Me, Not You t-shirt (one male, one female winner will be awarded).

And speaking of style, if you are looking for some fashion fun this Earth Day, April 22nd, 2009, then check out the “Sustainably Stylish” event hosted by Jenny Ferrera, Maya Fiennes and Tysa. The companies are asking all its eco-aware clients to bring their recyclables to benefit Alyma Dorsey in exchange for some fashion, beauty and spiritually stimulating fun. Alyma Dorsey is an aspiring US Olympic Volleyball hopeful who utilizes a recycle program to help the environment and offset the cost of her volleyball pursuits, allowing her to try and go for the Gold. The event will be held at a private residence in Santa Monica; for more information email jenny@jennywax.com

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Long ago the pristine California coastline lured thousands of settlers to our shores. Needless to say that trend has yet to change. What has changed is the quality of our ocean and beaches — and for this, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Littering at the beach isn’t the only cause of the problem. Through our vast and networked storm drain systems, trash that is discarded in Pasadena can make its way all the way to the beaches in Santa Monica. In fact the city of Santa Monica has outlawed the use of Styrofoam (and other non-recyclable plastics) but the beaches are still filled with Styrofoam waste that has been broken down into hundreds of tiny pieces.

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Why Should You Care?

How Can You Make a Difference?

• Keep littering under control. If you live in parts of the city that allow Styrofoam, refuse to take it. Ask the store if they will consider new (biodegradable) to go plates or BYOTG (Bring Your Own To-Go Ware) from home.  Write your local council representative and ask them to work

  
  towards banning these non-recyclable plastics too.

• If you see Styrofoam, plastics or other trash on the street try to pick it up and throw it away. Just use caution – i.e. don’t pick up rusty metals, needles or other hazardous objects.

• Most importantly, get involved and give back. Join in the monthly rotating clean ups happening with Heal the Bay on the third Saturdays of each month. Perks for you include sunshine, fresh air, mild exercise and endorphins from doing good work and giving back to the community.

There is an Earth Day clean up happening this Saturday at the Santa Monica Pier. As noted by its current report card grade, the Pier really needs our help and Heal the Bay needs as many volunteers as they can get. If you’re interested in attending, just show up (MAP). The clean up starts at 10 a.m.

Continue the Conversation on the *NEW* Forum:

Why Are There No Recycling Bins on L.A. Beaches?

How Can We Help Cut Down the Trash that Gets to the Beach?

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