What has two legs, a fighting spirit, and was escorted out of a tree this week? No, it's not your drunk uncle, it's Daryl Hannah. After weeks of protesting the takeover of a public garden used by more than 300 working class families, the eco-active movie star was taken from her walnut tree in South Los Angeles and the garden was closed after a raid by L.A. sheriff deputies. Joan Baez, Julia Butterfly Hill, Willie Nelson, and Danny Glover also supported the garden. You've got to admire the efforts and energy of these stars, but many feel that they just didn't know when to quit. Others were frustrated by the chaotic end to the protest. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called the events "disheartening and unnecessary," and mourned the loss of "an oasis in a sea of industry and concrete." Our view? If you've ticked off your city's richest residents, poorest residents, and the mayor, you might want to reconsider your actions. Shame on developer Ralph Horowitz.
Toronto basketball star Mike James, who's coming off a breakout season, has revealed one of the secrets to his success on an ESPN.com Motion segment. The short video shows James preparing for and partaking in an intense Bikram Yoga class. The Raptors' guard says that more than anything, he does yoga for the mental concentration, calling his practice, "food for your mind." "Breathing is the hardest part," he says. Actually, Mike, for most of us the hard part is averaging more than twenty points per game in the NBA. But breathing, yeah, that's hard too.
There are other sports stars looking for a (slightly... very slightly) more LIME lifestyle. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Scott Riggs, and other Nascar drivers have taken an interest in healthy eating in hopes of increasing their chances of victory, the New York Times reported. The automobile-athletes say they've been eating increasing amounts of salmon, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat pasta. The long term implications of the story have executives in the squirrel grilling industry concerned, but it's certainly a positive change for the drivers. Now if only we could get them to ride bicycles.
No plans for the weekend? Check out the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The organizers of the Manchester, Tennessee event plan to use new waste management strategies and technologies to keep 60% of the waste materials produced from going to landfills. The event also aspires to bring more attention to global warming. Artists include Ben Folds, Matisyahu, Bonnie Raitt, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, Buddy Guy, Les Claypool, Beck, Elvis Costello, the Neville Brothers, Rusted Root, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Medeski Martin & Wood, Cypress Hill, My Morning Jacket, Death Cab for Cutie, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Cat Power, Andrew Bird, Blues Traveler, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, as well as comedians Louis Black and Patton Oswalt. Apparently the kitchen sink just couldn't make it to this one. Maybe next time.
Biggie and Tupac. Lindsay and Paris. Could Madonna and Britney be next? Sources report a riff between the cross-generation kissers after Britney abandoned her Kabbalah study and moved on to the religious practice of worshipping herself baby. "I no longer study Kabbalah, my baby is my religion," wrote Britney on her website. Madonna reportedly feels as though she's "wasted time, money, and precious gifts" on Spears. The quarrel leaves some wondering when celebrities will finally agree to appropriate and bastardize just one spiritual outlook, or better yet, stick to Scientology.
Interests: Horseback riding, watching the silence of the snow, obviously anything creative, cooking
Inspiration: Like most of you, when I heard of recycling to save the earth, I naturally assumed I needed to separate my plastics, newspapers and glass. I was helping. That was all I needed to do. Then one day, I was searching around for something fun, some art, and I came across this abstract piece. It was gorgeous - it looked like a naturally formed wave of icy white water bursting into the air. When I looked closer at it, I saw that it was made from recycled plastic caps. I was in shock. What kind of imagination and talent does that take to look at a plastic cap and see more to it then what it actually is? How can someone be so ingenious that they can take something that we normally throw away and create such a piece of beauty with it? This is the thought process that I could not stop pondering and it took over my mind, body and soul and soon enough became my muse.
I began Earth's Journey for this reason. I wanted to show the world that there was more to saving the earth than just recycling. There is beauty in things we can't even imagine, and so many ways to help our planet flourish. There are products out there that we all could use to completely decorate, furnish and run a home... all environmentally safe. You can buy organic bedding, non-toxic cleaning detergents, solar power, or make a change in a small way by using energy-efficient light bulbs. But the best part of recycling and being eco-friendly is the beauty that you'll find here, with all of our different artisans. As you can see I'm very passionate about this type of artistic creativity, and I hope you will be too.
I invite you to sit back, relax and ... Be Inspired by Green!
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