ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

January 6th 2009

Want: Daryl Hannah’s Bamboo Compost Bucket

Filed under: products — michael @ 5:06 pm

With the economy now dashing my dreams of ever attaining Daryl Hannah’s awesome but expensive bamboo worm bin, I’m now eyeing her attractive bamboo compost bucket. The current compost bucket in my kitchen is about as ugly as the crap rotting inside, so this container would be a welcome change. Sure, it’s still $40 for something you could probably scrap together from a garage sale — but I’m always a sucker for green goods that look as good as they perform.

It’s available for $40 over at Hannah’s site. Check it out.

January 6th 2009

Richard Simmons Wants World Peace, Your Feet

Filed under: fashion, healthy living — michael @ 4:07 pm

Richard Simmons is a crazy, crazy man. But he also seems like a good time. How cool would it be if you were three drinks into a party and he came crashing through the door? You could be looking at the best night ever.

Anyways, the 60-year-old fitness personality recently appeared on CNN sporting a “Peace Sign” shirt and pretty much inviting pandemonium into the studio. Word of caution: If Richard Simmons does show up at your home, make sure you’re wearing long pants. Check out the video below to see why.

January 6th 2009

Rumor: Plenty Magazine Dishes Out The Pink Slips, Dropping Print

Filed under: magazines — michael @ 2:46 pm

Gawker is reporting that environmental mag Plenty has laid off almost its entire staff after failing to secure a new round of funding. Back in September, it was floated around that Al Gore was interested in purchasing a stake in the company. Then, that rumor was debunked and Live Earth’s Kevin Wall was seeded as the man in discussions. Now, it appears that no savior can be found and layoffs are in effect. From Gawker,

Our tipster said the money from Gore or whoever didn’t come through, and that Plenty editor and publisher Mark Spellun on Monday sacked everyone save for a skeleton crew of four or five people who will keep the website going.

Sad to see Plenty go — but we’re heartened to hear that some form of it will continue online. Anyone else in the magazine world feeling the hurt?

January 6th 2009

Kevin Nealon Records Humorous Radio Ads For Charity Giveaway

Filed under: campaigns, contests — michael @ 2:27 pm

Former SNL star Kevin Nealon has recorded a series of funny radio ads as part of a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe that will raffle off a $650,000 home. The actor often participates (with dire results) in the annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe. “I love that area up there. It’s close to my heart. And I love playing in the golf tournament,” he said.

The goal is to raise $1 million for the club. So far, 1,100 have been sold ($150 for one — or $200 for 2!), with 7,000 available until March 1st. Here are two of Nealon’s ads:

“Even in these times of nonexistent credit, there are plenty of ways to get into a home, including that trusty oversized key known as the crow bar,” Nealon said in one. “Yes, but a simpler more legal method is buying a $150 raffle ticket from the Boys and Girls Club that may win you a $650,000 South Lake Tahoe home.”

“Nothing says I love kids like building them a fort. Starry nights, crickets, girlie magazines, strip poker. The problem is, building that fort is a royal pain. Construction, materials, power tools. And unless you are a high-powered politician with access to illegal immigrants, good luck. There is, however, one simple solution. You could just buy a house _ a $650,000 house at South Lake Tahoe.”

Hilarious — and spending $150 to win a $650,000 home isn’t a bad deal! Especially with the odds being 1 in 7,000. For more info — or to enter the raffle — check out the official site here!

January 6th 2009

Jake Gyllenhaal Grabs Some Organix Dog Food

Filed under: animals, food & drink — michael @ 11:02 am

Where would you be without us rounding out your morning with spy shots of Jake Gyllenhaal picking up some “C&P’s Organix Canine Adult Formula Dry Dog Food” from a pet store? The actor hit up a PetCo in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles yesterday. Nice to see Jake feeding his pets green!

For those of you still interested, Organix Dry Dog Food is made with “Certified Organic Chicken as the #1 Ingredient in both the Canine and Feline Formulas that meets the USDA organic labeling regulations. With over 70% organic ingredients and a high meat content, you can be assured that your pet is benefiting from an outstanding diet that’s highly palatable and highly digestible. No pesticides, no growth hormones, no synthetic fertilizers, no antibiotics, no bioengineering, no by-products - all are true of our organic ingredients.”

For more, jump here.

Photo credit: INF Photo

January 6th 2009

Miss America Pageant To Feature Miss Vermont In Green Gown

Filed under: contests, fashion — michael @ 10:44 am

I’m sure there are many ladies out there with some harsh views on the annual Miss America Pageant. I myself wonder why in the world it still takes place. It seems odd to parade women around in bathing suits and gowns, watch them answer questions, perform talents, and then choose one to represent our country. I’d rather watch American Idol — and that’s incredibly painful to being with.

Nevertheless, the pageant must go on — and this year’s competition features a wonderful green twist from Ashley Ruth Wheeler, aka Miss Vermont. She’ll be sporting an environmentally friendly gown made from hemp, organic cotton and silk, with recycled lace and beads. From the article,

Wheeler wants the dress to be a conversation starter. She wants to talk about going green and environmental responsibility. She also said it’s important to buy local. “I thought, ok, keep the money local, and also go with environmental responsibility; it’s the perfect fit,” Wheeler said.

Further commenting on her blog, Wheeler said,

“I was raised as part of a family-run business and I understand how important it is to support locally-owned and operated businesses. So when it came time for me to purchase an evening gown for the Miss America pageant, I decided to keep my business in Vermont and call upon a designer from the Northeast Kingdom. I had heard about Tara Lynn and it was very appealing to go “green” for Miss America. I will be making a significant statement and suspect I will be the only contestant who has chosen to go this route. I think this is the perfect way for me to share my stance on preserving our environment and set myself apart from the other contestants.”

Hey — we now know who we’re officially backing. Go Miss Vermont!

January 5th 2009

Beyoncé Knowles Donates Millions To Drug Treatment Center

Filed under: donations — parrish @ 2:33 pm

As many already know, Beyoncé Knowles will be staring as Etta James in Cadillac Records — the new film version of the legendary singer’s life. What people don’t know is that Sasha Fierce (aka Beyonce) donated her entire $4 million salary from the film to the Phoenix House – the drug treatment center she spent weeks in prepping for the role.

“Her incredibly generous gesture to Phoenix House comes as no big surprise to those close to her,“ a source told Britain’s The Daily Star. “Without fanfare or publicity of any kind she has quietly given away millions to causes that move her. I don’t think she’s ever before given away such a large amount to one organization but she clearly believes that many people, possibly thousands, would die without their help. We’re talking about people here who can’t afford $20,000-plus a week to check themselves into Promises in Malibu or the Betty Ford Clinic. These people are hand-to-mouth street junkies and without groups like Phoenix they wouldn’t stand a chance of recovery. Beyoncé has acted, like she always does, from the heart and if she’s helped save even one life over Christmas she’ll consider every last cent well spent.”

Phoenix House runs 98 residential and outpatient rehab programs throughout the US, and treats over 5000 addicts a day.

While we had some beef with Knowles before for sporting fur, one can’t help but be moved by this generous donation. Good work, B!

Photo credit: PR Photos

January 5th 2009

Alanis Morissette Loses 20 Pounds With Her New Vegan Diet

Filed under: healthy living — parrish @ 1:53 pm

I’ve got one hand in my pocket and the other one is holding some tofu!

Alanis Morissette has joined the ranks of compassionate celebrities by making public her commitment to the vegan lifestyle! HELL, YEAH!!

According to OK, Alanis turned to the vegan diet after gaining a few extra pounds and reading Eat to Live which covers the many health benefits of a vegan diet. Oh and after Alanis went vegan, guess what happened? Chick lost 20 pounds and felt better than ever!!

About her new healthy lifestyle, Morissette says, “I’m back to what I was born to be, at my best. … I feel very alive. … I have no more aches and pains, and my allergies are gone, too.”

If you’d like to lighten your footprint on the planet and lead a more compassionate life, join Alanis and make the resolution to go meat-free in 2009. YOU.CAN.DO.IT!!!!

Photo credit: PR Photos

January 5th 2009

Bill Nye The Science Guy’s Paper Recycling Factory: Awesome Or Torture?

Filed under: products — michael @ 1:49 pm

Even if the 18th playing of your John Denver Christmas CD has barely left your stream of consciousness, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s holiday season. Or, your kid’s birthday. Which is why finding out that Bill Nye the Science Guy has a Paper Recycling Factory is exciting news for any eco-conscious parent. Well, kind of. Current reviews over on Amazon range from “educational” to “torture”. I guess it depends on your patience level for the day — or amount of mixed drinks consumed before mashing.

According to Discover This, Nye’s kit teaches children the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Young science exploreres will make greeting cards, notepads, and much more, all from waste paper. Thing is, the process is very time consuming — with some parents saying that their kids were disappointed. “If you are making paper with more than one child be prepared for some major disappointment,” writes one mom on Amazon. “The kit provides only enough cleaning (drying) cloths to make ONE tiny piece of paper (24 hour drying time). Hopefully, your second child will not be too disappointed to find out that they would have to wait 24 hours to make THEIR sheet of paper…mine was.”

Just another reason to never be born second.

“This is a good idea gone wrong,” writes another parent. “This “toy” comes with the vaguest of instructions and flat out doesn’t work. What it does do is create a helluva mess and a frustrated child. This should be taken off the market.”

Damn — well, hopefully parents will be more receptive to Nye’s next educational toy: The Broken Glass Recycling Factory.

Discover This! via Treehugger

January 5th 2009

Pierce Brosnan Seeks To Delay Proposed Gas Terminal In Ireland

Says safety and environmental issues have not been fully reviewed

Filed under: buildings and construction, campaigns, cars-houses — michael @ 12:19 pm

Having successfully help stop a liquefied natural gas terminal from being constructed off the coast of Malibu, California two years ago, Pierce Brosnan is now turning his attention towards a similar setup in his native Ireland.

The $700-million dollar project would see the construction of the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on a 257 acre site located on the Shannon Estuary. Those in opposition contend that there’s been little review of the environmental or safety impact of such a project. “The most serious environmental concern is that up to 100 million gallons of chlorinated seawater will be pumped into the estuary daily, causing serious environmental damage to this SAC area,” the Safety Before LNG website says. “The withdrawal and discharge of huge volumes of seawater would affect marine life by killing ichthyoplankton and other micro-organisms forming the base of the marine food chain unable to escape from the intake area.”

In a letter to the Kerry County Council, Brosnan and his wife Keeley express their reservations over the “fast-tracked and piecemealed” proposal. They also bring up their findings with their fight against BHP Billiton in Malibu saying, “What we found was a massive, industrial facility that would have polluted our community in violation of existing air-quality laws and that posed serious long-term risks to public safety and security. We strongly support Safety Before LNG’s request that the planning department find that this project and its associated pipeline must be thoroughly reviewed for the serious cumulative risks it poses for the local population and the environment.”

Hmmm…should be interesting to see if opponents to the installation can gain enough voices to have a serious impact on this project going forward. Malibu was fortunate to have so many celebrities that could drive media attention to the issue. Will Brosnan’s voice be enough to rally support?