Thursday, February 28, 2008

LBGG ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) Green Drinks gathering tonight.
Here's a note from Jenny Caronna:
This is a reminder to all our friends: Green Drinks Long Beach, an Eco-inspired Gathering, will be held this Thursday, February 28th from 7 - 9:30pm at the Gaslamp Restaurant. Last month's event was a success and we hope to see all of you again.
The Gaslamp is located at 6251 E. PCH in Long Beach. At PCH and Loynes.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Thanks,
Jennifer Caronna
Fundraising Green

2) New Q & A article on LongBeachGreenGuide.com.
Read "How to Decipher Your Electric Bill

3) Green gardening business launched this month! If you're tired of noisy lawn mowers and fume-spewing leaf blowers, it's time to hire Mark Stump, with Clean Air Lawn, based out of Long Beach. Mark is now open for business and welcomes new customers. Make the switch today!
www.cleanairlawnco.com

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

FIRST BILL



Back in late December, soon after the winter solstice, my home went solar.

With average monthly electric bills of $250, my husband and I decided to harness the power of the sun by investing in panels that would use nature's energy. Todd Fanady with Ameco (www.AmecoSolar.com) helped us through the process, first analyzing our usage and then assessing our solar needs based on that information and the configuration of our roof. We went with a 27-panel, 3.75 kilowatt system. This plan was designed to offset our electric usage by 50% and get us into the cheapest price tiers.

In January, we officially turned on the system after we got the go-ahead from SCE.

A few weeks ago we received our first bill: $50! What a joy to see a $200 reduction. And to add to the excitement of having solar panels comes another obsession: watching the meter spin backwards--even on an overcast day.

To learn more about deciphering your electric bill (a first step before going solar), look for a new article coming this week, a Q & A interview with Todd Fanady. Will make an announcement when it's on LongBeachGreenGuide.com.

Monday, February 25, 2008

DESERT AWASH IN GREEN

High desert rainfall has given the Mojave a facelift. Miles of previously dry earth now fan out in cool greens as early wildflowers begin to nudge upward from the sand. Those who live in the desert say, "this year will be spectacular." All indications make this statement seem a definite reality--but not quite yet. Warm days and sunlight still need to encourage growth before the plants will be in full bloom.

This weekend, in the Wonder Valley area outside of 29 Palms, I saw purple verbena, wild irises--still without flowers--and some desert dandelions. The drive up through Morongo Valley was a blanket of green. Almost difficult to believe when looking through eyes trained to see only sand, sage and creosote.

Later, I'll post information on wildflower viewing sites. This spring promises a colorful palette and a trip to the Mojave may just be in order.

Friday, February 22, 2008

WARM LASAGNA FOR A RAINY WEEKEND

Back to food...

Here is a whole wheat (no frowns, please) lasagna recipe from Sunset magazine's February issue. With rain expected this weekend, what could be better than a warming pasta dish? And it's even got greens!

Whole-Wheat Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Kale

See you again on Monday...heading to the high desert for some R & R.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

LUNAR ECLIPSE WEDNESDAY

A photo and note from local astronomer, Michael Beckage:



Greetings, Everyone.

Weather permitting, get ready for a celestial treat on Wednesday night! There will be a total eclipse of the moon in the early evening. Total eclipses happen when the full moon and passes through Earth's shadow directly opposite the sun. We are fortunate this time because the event takes place in the early evening instead of 2 AM like the eclipse last August. If you miss this one, you'll have to wait until December 2010 for the next total lunar eclipse.

On the West coast the moon rises at 5:30 PM on Wednesday with the partial phase of the eclipse already in progress. At about 7:00 totality begins and lasts until nearly 8:00 PM. During totality you can expect the moon appear as an orange-colored orb hanging low in the East against a starry background that includes the planet Saturn. I have attached a mosaic of images that I took during the last total eclipse using a small telescope and digital camera.

The great thing about lunar eclipses is that you don't need a telescope to really enjoy the view. My personal favorite way to view this type of event is with binoculars. If you have binoculars or a small telescope, now is that time to get them out!

Lunar eclipses move slowly. From start to finish it takes over three hours for the moon to pass into and out of the Earth's shadow. In my opinion, the best time to view this eclipse will be between 6:30 and 7:30 when the moon goes from being partially eclipsed into totality. If you have limited time, try to watch during that period.

Here is a link for more information:
Sky and Telescope

All we need now is a break in the clouds!

Happy eclipse watching,
Michael Beckage

Saturday, February 16, 2008

WHOLE GRAIN PANCAKES FOR SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST


This month's Green Issue of Bon Appetit magazine features "Feel Good Food," which includes recipes with whole grains, from pastas and pancakes to cookies and scones.

For breakfast in the a.m., how about a stack of pancakes with wild blueberry-maple syrup? That'll get you fueled for the day before heading outside on a Sunday morning. Yes, they're sweet with syrup, but who cares...

Tomorrow promises to be sunny. Great weather for burning calories!

Try the recipe below from Bon Appetit:
Whole Grain Pancakes with Wild Blueberry-Maple Syrup

Friday, February 15, 2008

GREEN GARDENING BUSINESS LAUNCHING SOON IN L.B.

We have landscape designers, native-plant specialists and arborists with training in trees. Soon, we'll have one more branch to add to our city's growing canopy.

In the next week or two, Long Beach will have a new--perhaps first--green gardening business. Mark Stump, who previously worked in the entertainment industry, has been making a career switch behind the scenes over the past couple of months, and he's now very close to his official launch.

So what is a "green" gardening business? According to Stump, it's one which is free of toxic fumes and noise pollution. This means no gas-powered equipment or motors rumbling through a quiet soundscape. Stump will be mowing and tending to lawns in the traditional way: with a push-reel mower and hand edger. For clean-up: the good old-fashioned broom and rake.

Learn more about Mark Stump's business in an upcoming post. Stay tuned for contact details...

Thursday, February 14, 2008

A CHOCOLATE RECIPE FROM SUNSET MAG

Chocolate is a must on Valentine's Day. It pleases the palate, elevates the mood and nourishes the heart. Try this Sunset recipe below as a finishing touch to a love-filled day.

And remember...use organic ingredients whenever possible.

Dark Chocolate-Chunk Brownies

Email LongBeachGreenGuide

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

LATEST LISTINGS

LongBeachGreenGuide.com continues to grow each week and I'm happy to announce that the following businesses are now listed:

*Allegra Print & Imaging--Printers (Allegra offers environmentally-friendly printing products)
*Bixby Knolls Strollers--Walking Club
*Blue Gecko Design, Kathleen Irvine--Landscape Designer
*Bradley Method Natural Childbirth Classes, Anne Marie Reggie, Instructor--Childbirth (under "Women's Health")
*Eat Your Veggies--Food (organic meals, lunchboxes, vegetarian food delivery service)
*4th & Elm Health Foods--Health Food Store
*Integrative Childbirth Services, Rena Koerner--Doula
*Joy Spread the Word--Clothing/Organic/Green
*Native Plants/Xeriscaping Consultant, Mike Letteriello
*Pink Cloud Events, Sarah Shewey--Event Planning/Weddings (Green)
*S. Groner and Associates--Community Relations/Media Relations/Public Education
*Rethreads--Promotional Products/Green
*True Beauty Wellness--Day Spa/Acupuncture

Also see these new categories:
--ACTIVITIES WITH A GENTLE FOOTPRINT (under "A")
--WOMEN"S HEALTH

On Friday, look for an announcement on a new business about to launch in Long Beach.
Always stay posted on current news by visiting this blog!

Green on,
Sarojni
Email LongBeachGreenGuide

Sunday, February 10, 2008

WILD RICE RECIPE FROM "THE GREEN GUIDE"

Blogging can be a big responsibility: writing regular posts, finding hot topics, researching current news, making announcements and so on. I think it's time for me to come out of the culinary closet and break up the "eco-postings" with two of my favorite earthly obsessions: food and cooking.

I've decided to post recipes now and then, either those that I've created, or some that I've come across online. I may even dig into my yellowed collection that's more than 30 years old, to offer up some cooking and meal ideas.

For now, here's one from a borrowed source:
A wild rice recipe from National Geographic's Green Guide:
Hand-Harvested Wild Rice with Pecans and Scallions

*Use organic ingredients whenever possible.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

CO-OP AMERICA'S FEBRUARY TIP

Read "Practice Clothing Consciousness," an article by Co-Op America
Green Tips
www.coopamerica.org

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Monday, February 4, 2008

BIXBY KNOLLS LITERARY SOCIETY TO MEET IN MARCH

Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is happy to announce the Bixby Knolls Literary Society. This is a brand new community book club that will meet monthly in Bixby Knolls businesses to discuss literature. The focus of the club will be American literature both current and classic. Nino’s Italian Restaurant will be host for the monthly discussions. Each month a different special guest will lead the discussion. The meetings may expand into showcases for local artists and musicians over the next few months. All details are below:

To Read Well is to Master the Ages

First Selection:
Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir
By D.J. Waldie

First Society Meeting:
Monday, March 10, 2008, 7:00pm
Nino’s Italian Restaurant
3853 Atlantic Avenue

Author D.J. Waldie will be in attendance to discuss his book.

Guest Discussion Leader: Will Swaim, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, The District Weekly

The first 35 members to sign up will receive a copy of “Book by Authors,” an anthology of creative works by local writers and artists. The book was conceived and designed by Ryan Smolar, Smolarcorp, and partnered with the Long Beach Public Library Foundation.

For more information call the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association: (562) 595-0081 or email: info@bixbyknollsinfo.com

Friday, February 1, 2008

FIRST FRIDAYS LONG BEACH, TONIGHT FEB. 1st

Tonight, Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association will host First Fridays Long Beach, a monthly happening which promotes local artists, musicians and businesses. Events are located on Atlantic Ave. between Bixby Rd. and just north of Burlinghall Drive in Bixby Knolls.
Learn more:
www.firstfridayslongbeach.com