Your Daily Thread

Cheers to Local (and Sustainable) Beers

Tracy Hepler — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:20:53 +0000

For some, St. Patty’s Day conjures up images of leprechauns, shamrocks and Irish cheer, but for me, I think about the beer.

While purists might say the only drink acceptable on this holiday is a Guinness, I say to think outside the traditional box. Guinness is good, but it hails all the way from Dublin…that’s a pretty long journey. Fortunately, good local beer is here and many of these brewers use sustainable practices.

Check out our picks for drinking locally and sustainably St. Patty’s Day and everyday:

Drink Like a Local

Angel City: Based in Torrance, this local brewery shares space with the Alpine Village (a hot spot for Oktoberfest). I love the Dunkle, but it’s more of a fall style beer.

Skyscraper: This brewery offers beer-tastings and tours in El Monte.

Eagle Rock: This one also has a public tap room where you can drink on the premises (bring some food or buy from the local taco trucks parked outside).

Craftsman Brewing: The Owner Delivers the beer himself (well sometimes). They also offer tours and tastings.

Farther Away But With a Focus on Sustainability

Stone Brewing Co: The largest purchaser of local, small farm organic produce in San Diego County. Definitely worth a day trip for a brewery tour and tasting at the all organic Bistro.

North Coast Brewing: Makes Belgian Style Ales in California with organic ingredients. Their Old Rasputin is a yummy local alternative to traditional Guinness.

Sierra Nevada: This brewery’s roof is completely covered by solar panels and is a hotspot for kids at Chico State University.

New Belgium: Uses wind power and bicycles to make some of the tastiest sustainable brews in North America.

Do you have a sustainable/local beer that didn’t make our list? Share your favorites with us in the comments.

Images via istock, xmasberry’s flickr and foodwoolf’s flickr

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Fun Things to Do in LA This Weekend

Tracy Hepler — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:29:09 +0000

Art + Bikes = ArtCycle

What happens when East Hollywood bicycle culture meets local art? You get ArtCycle, an event that showcases both these emerging street cultures into one enjoyable afternoon. Come for the yummy food, bicycle art tours, BYOT (bring your own tee) silk screening, sweet sounds from Dublab and more. Why? Cause Creativy and Cycling go hand in hand.

Location: Santa Monica Blvd & Madison, Hollywood CA, 90029 Date/Time: Saturday, March 13th from 2 to 10 p.m. Web: http://easthollywoodartcycle.com

Turn Your St. Patty’s Day Celebration Green

No we’re not talking about things like dying your beer green, rather your celebration. If you’re looking for a fun celebration, head over to Boulevard 3 in Hollywood this Friday Night. Proceeds of the event will benefit Operation Green Leaves, an organization dedicated to rebuilding and reforesting Haiti. You’ll get the full “green carpet” treatment at this event including eco-friendly spa treatments, models showing off the latest in eco-lingere from Urban Fox, Why? When you give goodness, you get goodness.

Location: Boulevard 3, 6523 West Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028 Date/Time: Friday, March 12th from 9:30 to 2 a.m. Web/Reservations: www.boulevard3.com/reservations.html

World Water Day at NHM

We drink it, we shower in it, we grow our food with it, but as of late there is less and less of it. I’m talking about blue gold, water, the essence of life. This issue deserves serious attention and you can give it that and learn more at the Natural History Museum’s Sustainable Sunday event celebrating World Water Day. Why? We know you want to be an efficient water user and not a water waster.

Location: The Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 Date/Time: Sunday, March 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Web: www.nhm.org/site/activities-programs/sustainable-sundays

Get Your Natural Fix

Whether you’re an eco-beauty or eco-food junkie, you’ll be over the moon at the Natural Products Expo West, happening this weekend in Anaheim. Yes it is a bit of a trek, but this is the ultimate display of green beauty and natural foods all under one roof. It’s more than just an expo, there are panel discussions, displays and event parties. Why? It’s definitely worth the drive down, especially if you can carpool.

Location: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave Anaheim, CA 92802 Date/Time: March 11th-14th, times and events change daily, check the website for updated info Web: www.expowest.com/ew10/public/enter.aspx

Summer Furniture Anyone?

Though it’s in the 60s this week, we know that in L.A. warm weather is always around the corner. That’s why Cisco Home (one of the original sustainable furniture companies in Los Angeles) has launched a sustainably designed outdoor furniture line and is showing it off tonight. Why? eco-chic patio furniture, Veev cocktails and yummy appetizers will make you feel like summer days are not far away.

Location: 440 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Date/Time: Thursday, March 11th from 7 to 9 p.m. RSVP: A Must to Courtney at cmullin@hlgrp.com / 323.966.4600

Images via Artcycle

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As If You Didn’t Need Another Reason To Ditch the Plastic

Your Daily Thread Team — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:24:00 +0000

Here are recent photos of the L.A. River near Griffith Park after recent rains. As you can see, many plastic bags are clogging up the river (and these aren’t even the one’s that made it to the ocean).

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Remember, always Bring Your Own Bag (and if you do have to use a plastic one, make sure you recycle it properly).

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Don’t Be So Sensitive: A YDT Guide to Soothing Skin

Alissa Pittenger — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:50:24 +0000

If you have sensitive skin like mine, you know the battle to find beauty products. With so many soaps, moisturizers, creams and makeup, what’s a sensitive girl to do? So today I unveil my tried and true must have sensitive soothers. Each one of these products is part of my personal daily regimen.

Face and Body Soap

Chivas Skin Care ‘Fragrance Free’ handmade goat milk soap is nourishing and moisturizing with good for you vitamins that absorb quickly into skin. The Fragrance Free bar contains no added essential or fragrance oils which can irritate super sensitive skin. The result is a smooth touch and flawlessly even tone. I use this bar all over my body and face to freshen up and remove makeup.

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Toner

Kimberly Sayer of London Organic Lavender Toner immediately calms inflammation and redness. Also, the fragrant aroma of lavender makes the spray an immediate pick-me-up. I won’t travel without it! Sold locally at Palmetto in Santa Monica.

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Day/Night Moisturizer

L’uvalla Balancing Day/Night Cream is a velvety and fast absorbing moisturizer that leaves no grease behind. It purifies and un-clogs pores with aromas of organic thyme, clove and cinnamon. I love how it preps my face, leaving a matte base before makeup application. Great for men as well.

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Eye Cream

Thibiant’s Complex Organics Eye Cream has me hooked since my first Thibiant Organic Facial. With its richly cooling and hydrating effect, delicate eye tissue gets a natural shot of green tea, making the skin firm and smooth. One of my favorite eye creams of all time!

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Night Treatment

Aubrey Organics Rose Hip Oil soothes any redness or even rosacea rash while you sleep. Use the roller ball applicator to glide over troubled and dry areas, then wake up to happier, more evenly toned skin.

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Foundation

Cargo Cosmetics’ Wet/Dry Foundation rates an incredible ‘1′ on the Cosmetics Database. So not only does it feel light as air on the skin, it’s totally safe. This seemingly invisible makeup creates a soft veil that won’t clog pores or cause irritation. I can wear this foundation all day without it changing color or going greasy.

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Special YDT Deal: New members are entered to win a Free Cargo Wet/Dry Foundation. Subscribe by March 15.

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Narrow Streets For L.A.?

Danielle Davis — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:50:24 +0000

What if one way to make L.A. more people and less car friendly were to narrow the streets? What would tapered streets look like? How would a two lane road instead of a four lane one change the mood of a thoroughfare? How might they encourage/necessitate alternative transportation? What would it be like not to be “sunning at an outdoor cafe just steps from the edge of a six-lane, 50mph road”?

So asks David Yoon at Narrow Streets: Los Angeles. http://narrowstreetsla.blogspot.com/

And then he makes it happen. In photographs anyway.

Here’s Main and Hill in Santa Monica.

And here’s the same, but narrow.

It looks a lot more inviting to pedestrians and pedalers with sidewalk size in proportion to the street. And crossing now looks like a hop or skip versus a jog. Here’s Sunset and Virgil by the Vista Theater.

And here’s the same, but narrow.

That vast expanse of asphalt has certainly shrunk as has the distance between destinations. Narrow Streets: Los Angeles takes requests if you have a street in mind that needs some shrinking.

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Arriving at Livable Streets in L.A.

Where to Land Your Green Dream Home in L.A.

Danielle Davis — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:01:19 +0000

If you’ve been following Candice’s series on green remodeling, then you know there are ways to up the eco ante in your current digs. But if you’re in the market for a new home, one that’s already been greened to order, look no further than some recent developments in Los Angeles.

Here’s a list of new green home options in our fine city.

Loft Living:

We like lofts and condos because they mean shared space and resources, denser living and, in many cases, proximity to car free errands.

TLofts: If you want to stay west and live well, TLofts may be up your alley. Its list of green distinctions is mighty long and includes 18 electric car charging stations, bike parking, rainwater harvesting and many more features as part of its green building cred. And let’s not forget TLofts are sleek and pretty too.

Evo: Evo’s elegance is made even more appealing with its LEED Silver Certification—meaning it was constructed with renewable and recycled materials and its units save energy and have cleaner indoor air. And if you work and play Downtown (Evo’s in South Park), your commute is cut to zero. Walk Score calls it a walker’s paradise. If you’re looking for loft living high on luxury, find out more about Evo here.

Cherokee Lofts: These slick spaces were born from Cherokee Studios where the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and David Bowie recorded. Not to mention The King. So if that isn’t enough of a selling point, maybe that the building claims the title of being the greenest mixed-use development in the state will win you over. We think its greatest hit is the green living roof.

Homes:

The Mews: In recently revived Atwater Village, an eco-minded housing complex of 23 solar-paneled units is putting down roots. They’re super spacious (like three bedrooms and two car garages) and modern, complete with views and bang for your buck. Plus, it’s just a stone’s throw from Griffith Park.

Rock Row: This string of 15 LEED certified sustainable homes in Eagle Rock is so rockin’, they’ve all been long sold. But you never know what the future will hold…

Both projects give thanks to L.A.’s small lot ordinance, which allows multiple homes to be built on one lot in what was once zoned just for apartments and commercial properties.

The Gatsby Hollywood: In the heart of Hollywood, The Gatsby considers itself a green community doing its part to lessen its impact. Like saving 34 trees and over 40,000 kilowatt hours every year. These homes may have a historic feel in a historic location, but they also sport energy technology for our times: solar, of course.

Apartments:

If you’re a renter like me and you have a strong commitment to living sustainably in the city, check out L.A. Eco-Village. It’s the real deal.

One thing to keep in mind, particularly if in the market for an urban loft—don’t move into one right on the freeway. LA Weekly’s cover article last week, “Black Lung Lofts,” will tell you why.

Images via The Gastby Hollywood, Tlofts and The Mews

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Cargo Plant Love™ Giveaway

Alissa Pittenger — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:56:58 +0000

Cargo is offering 5 lucky winners a full size tube of Plant Love Lipstick in Gamba (sheer cranberry). A $20 value…that’s sexy!

Indulge yourself with pure pigment 100% natural lipstick that is free of parabens, phthalates, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes and fragrances. Goes on like a gloss, but gives the impact of a lipstick. Housed in biodegradable corn packaging, these lipsticks get the prestigious Eco-Certification.

This eco-lipstick comes in a wide variety of colors inspired by ecological places or celebrity style. We picked ‘Gamba’ for our readers in honor of Gamba, Africa’s rich and vibrant colors.

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YDT Giveaway: Grab one full size tube of Plant Love™ Lipstick in Gamba! All new subscribers are automatically entered to win, so spread the Plant Love!

Photos provided by www.cargocosmetics.com

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The Waste-Free Book-on-Tape: Audiobooks from Audible.com

Lauren Johanson — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:32:50 +0000

I believe that personal organization has a lot to do with making green lifestyle changes. And yet the world of GTD (“getting things done”), rarely meets the world of green. Some of the questions I’d like to explore in the coming months are: What are the best “to do list” programs so I can go sticky note-free? How can I organize my office to be the most efficient and eco-friendly? What is the eco-factor between reading hardcopy books versus a Kindle (or Nook or iPad)?

The question today is: do I really need to read a book at all? Why can’t I listen to it? And on a device I already own? Well, you can at Audible.com, with audiobooks that are easily downloaded and transferred to your smart phone or MP3 player. No new device. No physical books. And no plastic tapes or DVDs like traditional audiobooks. Save money. Save time. Save resources.*

Ok, I just sounded like a cheesy saleswoman, but honestly I can’t say enough good things about using Audible. I rarely have the time to sit down and read a book, but by using Audible I am able to “read” about a book a month while driving, exercising, taking public transportation and even doing errands or mindless tasks. So far I’ve stuck to novels, but it’s good to know it also offers magazines, radio shows, podcasts, stand-up comedy and even speeches. The website is pretty user-friendly; I especially like the “Wishlist” feature. And finally, the price is right. For example, if a hardcover costs $27.99 and the corresponding audio CD costs $39.98, the Audible member price is just $7.49 (for the first 3 months, $14.95/month thereafter), which gives you credit for one book a month.

If you want to give audiobooks a try, check out the library at Audible.com.

Some of the eco-books on my list are:

Getting Green Done: Hard Truths From the Frontlines of Sustainability Revolution (Auden Schendler)

Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything (Daniel Goleman)

Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World (Bill Clinton)

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What do you think?

•   Can e-books and audiobooks replace the real deal?
•    *Does having to constantly charge an electronic device outweigh any paper-free environmental benefits?
•    *What about the issue of e-waste?
•   Is loaning a book from the library the best solution?
•   What about responsibly printed books like those from New Society Publishers?

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