The Story of Cap and Trade

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The Story of Cap & Trade is a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the leading climate solution being discussed at Copenhagen and on Capitol Hill. Host Annie Leonard introduces the energy traders and Wall Street financiers at the heart of this scheme and reveals the “devils in the details” in current cap and trade proposals: free permits to big polluters, fake offsets and distraction from what’s really required to tackle the climate crisis. If you’ve heard about cap and trade, but aren’t sure how it works (or who benefits), this is the film is for you.

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I’m Not A Paper Cup Blow Out Sale

Now that I have caught up from my Green Friday Sale I thought I would entice you with another great deal! Get your I’m Not A Paper Cup for only $12.00. This makes a great stocking stuffer as well as a great conversation piece. It looks like a paper cup but it’s not!!

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I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving!!

*This deal can be used with our Free Shipping Coupon when you spend over $75.00.

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Celebrating Green Friday!

Black Friday is going GREEN! All Green Things wants to remind you about our 1 Day Event on November 27th, 2009.
Everything in our Store and On-Line is 25% Off!!!!! Spend less on more meaningful, green gifts. Stock is limited so shop early!

agt holiday jpgExtended In-Store Hours on    Nov. 27th 8AM-8PM
Store Location:
5321 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

*Meter Parking In Front Of Store & Free Parking On Surrounding Streets

*Discount does not apply to sale items, shipping, taxes, surcharges, gift cards, certificates or codes, previous orders, international orders, or our Vintage Category on-line.

On-Line Coupon Code to be entered at checkout: GRNFRI09

All Green Things wishes you & your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Out and About…

I ventured out to attend a Green Salon Series here in L.A last night. I have to say a great perk to living in a big city is that there is always interesting and talented people to see on any given night in this town.  The guest speakers at this event were Ed & Rachelle Begley. What an amazing couple and both so very witty. They have a show in its third season on HGTV called Living with Ed. I highly recommend it!!

IMG00182(2)I have such great respect for the Begley’s. They have been on a mission to learn what it truly means to live a sustainable life, and they have been doing so for many years. They’re teachers to our community and to people around the nation and I have to say they do it with humor, charm and tenacity.

The one message I took home is that instead of thinking about this as a fight to win people over to your particular views about our environment is that we should focus on what we can all agree on. If you begin with this premise and move forward you are likely to be successful in getting people on board. A few areas that I am sure all people can agree on, especially here in La La Land, is the fact that we need to improve our air quality, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save some money along the way.

There may be a lot of people who still do not believe in climate change but I’m sure if they’re an outdoors person they can understand air quality and the need to reduce pollutants in their own community. The win, win is that doing this does help with climate issues. Who cares if you believe in it or not, let’s just clean up our air quality!!

Sustain Lane crunched a bunch of EPA data on the average Air Quality indexes along with EPA data on Clean Air Act Non-Attainment areas. It really does come down to location. Honolulu, HI comes in #1 and poor Los Angeles, CA comes in second to last. This Sustain Lane article is a great read if you’re into data.

Dependence on foreign oil…I will let you interject your own opinions here.

I’m sure we all can agree and get excited about saving money! There are many small ticket items that will save us money and help our environment:
*Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
*Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Or, use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use.
*Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes go to heating the water.
*Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
*Take shorter showers to reduce water use and use a shower timer to keep you on track.  This will lower your water and heating bills too.
*Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.

So let’s move forward and start focusing on what our agreements can be. Keep in mind that in almost everything we do, there is an effect on someone else in the world. I want to live comfortably just like I am sure you do but live mindfully, within your means, while having a minimal negative affect on the rest of the people on the planet.

“Live simply so others can simply live”   Mahatma Gandhi

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My New Favorite Thing!

Who knew that I would have a love affair with stainless steel straws! I can honestly say that this straw is no ordinary straw. The stainless steel takes whatever you’re drinking and makes it a whole new kind of cold. I like to enjoy a good drink from time to time and I’m telling you a stainless steel straw makes any cocktail a whole lot better!

00Stainless steel straws 1 rgPlastic straws are flimsy and they’re just plain bad! Most recycling centers will not take them because they are a #5 plastic. A reusable stainless steel straw will dress up any beverage while being a great Eco option. These straws are made of 18/10 stainless steel, fashioned in the “bendy straw” style. They are 8.5″ long, dishwasher safe and may be the last straws you ever have to buy! Comes in a Set of 4.

Spiff up your next lemonade or margarita with one of these straws. They’re brilliant and they’ll quickly become the conversation piece at your next party!

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Tracking the Climate Negotiations

I believe climate change is the defining issue of our generation and this year, in Copenhagen, we have the greatest opportunity in human history to avoid runaway climate change. So why doesn’t everyone know about it and why are we all not having our say?

264-Picture_4The reality is that we’re leaving the most important decision in the world to a few hundred people. We will be living with the decisions that are being made at the UN for the rest of our lives. I don’t know about you but I’m curious what’s going on now and who is currently at the UN representing the United States.

Looking into this matter further I learned about Adopt a Negotiator from my friend Mike Austin, over at Blue Planet Almanac. I read that a group of people have organized and traveled to the UN letting all of our negotiators know that they are present, watching and reporting back to the world. The fact that these negotiations were going on with very little scrutiny or public participation did not seem right.

The mission is to change the way citizens from around the world engage in this process. 13 countries are being represented, speaking 9 different languages, and they will be working hard over the next six months, reporting back to us about the latest announcements, actions and statements from the lead climate negotiators from their represented countries. Our tracker is Ben Jervey. Upon watching his latest update I have to say it’s pretty darn sad and pathetic.

Folks if we want to see something big happen we will have to pick up the phone and get involved. Let your voice be heard on this issue with our politicians. Write or call Obama’s office.

“Representing only ourselves and with no organizational affiliations we are able to say it as we see it and really give a flavor of what it feels like to be involved in the process,” our trackers say. That’s the way it should be!

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Green Toys for the Holidays

With the holidays coming up fast, you’re probably starting to consider gift options. If toys are on your list you’ll want the piece of mind that the toys your children are playing with are safe and environmentally friendly.

00red dump truck rgThis year consumers need to be aware of toys made by loose manufacturing standards. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced recalls of literally thousands of Chinese-made toys due to lead paint dangers, just in the month of November! So considering that your children, will more likely than not, chew everything edible and non-edible in his or her sight, this is motivation to make sure your child’s playthings are green and healthy!

Recently, I read in Green Home & Family magazine about a California Company that makes a toy line from 100% recycled plastic materials. Everything in the toy line has been thoroughly tested by nationally recognized independent labs located in the USA. They contain no traceable amounts of Phthalates or BPA. They’re also designed without any external coatings, eliminating the fear of lead paint. The toys are made in the USA and every step of the toy making process takes place in California, which saves energy and means fewer greenhouse gasses from transportation. 00eco saucer set rg

Even the packaging of Green Toys is environmentally friendly. They use as little packaging as possible and the material used (recycled corrugated boxes) is 100% recyclable. They don’t use any plastic or twist ties which means the boxes are easy to open and there are no dangerous parts. Kids can open the package themselves with no help from Mom or Dad. I think the search for green toys for the holiday season is over!

00eco saucer tnOne more thought… for all of you who will over indulge with the food this holiday season, this cool Eco Saucer might come in handy when the meal is over and it’s time to burn off some calories☺

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We did it!!

On October 24th, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis and Woodland Hills showed up!!

This is a day when we all came together and participated in something that matters. There was nothing more vital to the planet’s future that we all could have been doing. No deeper way to honor those who came before us, or to show our love to those who will come after us. I am so proud of my great community.

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Today the number 350 is the most important number in the world and the most well-known. 350 defines what is necessary for our earth to continue as we know it. All of us who have participated in this most important day have made this number the centerpiece of the debate over climate. Everyone who joined together is standing up for scientific reality and reframing the debate in a way that will echo through the UN Climate Talks in Copenhagen and beyond. I am a very proud girl today as I know all who participated in over 181 countries are. Whoooo Hoooooo!!!!

I would like to thank Michael Wittman from Third Planet Energy for bringing his amazing Biodeisel/ Hydrogen car. More to come on Michael later!

There were close to 70 wonderful people who came to this event. Women, men, children and babies and of course some of our furry pals participated. Why leave them out! It was hot yesterday and I will be relaxing today basking in the joy of what we all showed up for. All of you who were there will be in my thoughts forever!

Without the help of my community this day would not have been possible. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart Jim Brammer from State of the Art Images, the Woodland Hills Tarzana Chammber of Commerce, the Valley Cultural Center, the Office of Councilman Dennis Zine, the Warner Center Marriott Hotel, and the Westfield Promenade. Thank you for the education and support in planning this event.

A very special thanks to our American environmentalist and writer, Bill McKibben who founded 350.org. You are an amazing soul. Thank you for all that you have done for our planet.

To my amazing husband who has been by my side since the inception of All Green Things, without him none of this would have been possible.

Bobbi Rubinstein you are amazing!!!!

Ray Rifice my video god, thank you for all your help!

A big thank you to my supporters who helped spread the word:
Mike Austin from radio Blue Planet Almanac
KPCC
Hills of Woodland -Our local community blog
Green Home & Family Magazine
The Valley Vantage
Coffey Sound
Jeremiah McNulty Design
Got Green Printing

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1 Day Left until INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION

An International Day of Climate Action
Aerial Photo in Warner Center Park
24 October 2009 – 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Action: Aerial Photo- Spell out the numbers 350 with people at the Warner Center Park. This is an unpermitted gathering which means that nothing can be sold for a profit and we must be respectful of our noise levels.

Location: Warner Center Park- Also known as Warner Ranch Park
NE Corner of Park- In the open area of the field.
5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Times: 3PM-5PM
Please arrive in plenty of time to get into formation for the photo. We will have an information booth set up with additional information to help expedite this event. I will do my best to make this as seamless as possible. If you RSVP you will receive an email with all the final details to reduce confusion.

We will have a template on the ground in the shape of 350. When you arrive please take a position. Feel free to relax and sit if you are an early arrival. It should be pretty straight forward. Once everyone has settled into formation we will make sure our photographer, he will be on the roof of the Marriott, is happy with the look. Once approval is given I will address the crowd briefly. Once I am finished I will get into formation with you and we will shoot several photos. I will inform you all when we are able to break away from the formation.

Michael Wittman from Third Planet Energy will be there with his biodiesel car. If you have any questions about this world he is your guy. Thank you
Michael!!

Please invite as many people as you know. We will look back on this day and be proud we participated in this very important day!!

350 jpg

Parking Information

Free:
You can park on surrounding streets around the park but this is first come, first serve.

Free:
Westfield Promenade Shopping Center
6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard
Woodland Hills CA 91367

Paid Parking:
The Marriott has paid parking in the garage for $6.00/self-parking and $12.00/valet.

Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills
21850 Oxnard Street
Woodland Hills, California 91367

Transportation:
The Metro bus stops at the transit center on Owensmouth which is just a block north of the Park.

Important Note: Please RSVP!! This will help with the organization of the aerial photo. Everyone is donating their time and their equipment so this event is a very grassroots effort.

Please bring your own water in a reusable Kanteen. At this point we do not have any donated beverage stands. You can contact me, Tanya, for more information or additional questions at this email address: info@allgreenthings.com or my phone number: (818) 346-7763 if you have any additional questions.

If you would like to volunteer your time for the event day please contact me. I need an additional group of 5 to help organize people into the formation.

Contest:My photographer and I have entered into the 350 aerial contest and this photo along with thousands of others will rotate in time square. It is all really exciting. Stay tuned…

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Introducing A Pocketful of Treats

My Boxer Otis loves his new doggie treats! In fact I have had to cut way back because he can go through a bag a day if I let him. This is a rare thing because he has to be the most finicky eater, as far as dogs go, I’ve ever known!! So Otis definitely approves of “A Pocketful of Treats”.

PocketMail2The biscuits are handmade in small batches and contain specific ingredients targeted at a variety of dog health concerns. His favorite are the Breath Bombs and thank goodness for that because he has very stinky breath.

I approve this new all natural/organic dog biscuit line for several reasons. It’s Wheat Free, Corn Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free and No Artificial Colors or Artificial Preservatives. This treat line also gives back! A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the biscuits will be donated to Pets for the Environment. I love, love, love that the dog biscuit line is made locally right here in Woodland Hills. It just does not get any better than that!

The maker of these fabulous dog biscuits is Jodi Plaia. Believing in her heart that there must be a better way for her dog, dog owners, and the planet, she began her journey into cooking and baking an organic “real food” diet for her dog. She noted the almost immediate health benefits in her Miniature Schnauzer, Pockets: those extra unhealthy pounds dropped, her coat was shiny and vibrant, her skin allergies improved, she had more energy, and now, had more “kissable” breath. As Jodi continued on this journey with other concerned dog owners and friends, A Pocketful of Treats was born.

00BLOB BOOSTERS RGSo let’s show Jodi some support and help launch “A Pocketful of Treats” successfully! For a limited time only, buy 3 bags or more and get 20% OFF! Offer expires October 27th, 2009. Please use coupon code Pockets09 at checkout. If you have any questions email me at info@allgreenthings.com.

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