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Thank you, Lisa, for posting this. The whole event looks great! Looks like event coordinator Marty Fujita has covered all the green bases, and is even providing "stainless steel Kleen Kanteen brand water bottle at the merchandising table, then pick up their free water." Wow!

this is GREAT! i was going to order a couple of Klean Kanteen bottles (on Suza's suggestion), but now i'll just get 'em at Locally Grown and save the planet the extra shipping!

Another event coming up is the 5th Annual Ventura Hillsides Music Festival
Sunday, September 30, 2007, 1pm
Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura

http://venturahillsides.org/events.shtml

Should be fun !

Brian

http://venturahillsides.org/index.shtml

Thanks, Brian, for the info on the Hillsides Fest. I should also mention that Myridian is back in town, performing locally this Friday and next. Their song, Summer Of My Mind," is on Radio Ojai along with details about their upcoming gigs at www.RadioOjai.com.

With the hundreds of new coal burning power plants coming on line in the next few years, in the US, the amount of greenhouse gases will do nothing but increase. Any kind of effort to reduce our "carbon footprint" through these insignificant reductions at these events is nothing but a "I feel better about myself" cop out. It's equivilent to the kid peeing into the mississippi river thinking he's going to reverse the rivers course. Greenhouse gasses are increasing not decreasing, one single 1000 mega watt coal power plant puts 12 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere and 500 tons of radioactive uranium and thorium into the atmosphere every year.

Hi Brian,
This is not an endorsement for Edwards but something to consider regarding your comments about coal.

Edwards Calls For Cleaner Use Of Coal As Part Of Fight Against Global Warming

Calls For Ban On New Coal Plants Lacking Technology To Capture Carbon Dioxide Emissions
San Francisco, California – Following last week's announcement of his plan to halt global warming and create a new energy economy, Senator John Edwards today released the details of his plan to burn coal cleanly and store its carbon dioxide emissions safely. Edwards called for an end to the construction of any new coal-burning power plants that lack the technology needed to capture their carbon dioxide emissions.

"Global warming is not an issue for the future," said Edwards. "It is a crisis that demands action from us today. We have the chance to create an energy revolution in our country, but if we're going to have that happen, we have to be willing to take action now. We need to be smart and responsible about how we use coal, so we can leave our children and grandchildren a safer and cleaner planet."

While Edwards' energy plan calls for investing in renewable energy and efficiency, he understands that the U.S. is likely to rely on coal for its energy needs for decades or even centuries. Coal-fired power plants generate more than half of our electricity, but cause a third of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Utility companies are planning to build more than 150 coal-fired power plants in the next 25 years.

Edwards believes we need to find a way to use coal without heating the planet. As president, Edwards will require that all new coal-fired plants be built with the required technology to capture their carbon dioxide emissions, so plants built today will be able to permanently and safely store their carbon emissions tomorrow. He also committed to investing $1 billion a year in research and testing to jumpstart the means to store large amounts of carbon dioxide safely underground.

In order to halt global warming, Edwards last week called for a dramatic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Edwards' plan would cap greenhouse gas pollution starting in 2010, and reduce it by 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, as the latest science says is needed to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Edwards also proposed major investments in renewable energy and laid out ways to help Americans conserve energy.

For more information, please see the fact sheet below.

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A New Strategy For Coal: Achieving Energy Independence & Stopping Global Warming
"The future is determined by the choices we make today. We can transform this economy, help American businesses lead the world, and take responsibility for protecting this earth. But if we don't seize the moment, it will be too late." -- John Edwards

Our generation must be the one that achieves energy independence. We need independence from unstable and hostile areas of the world, from global warming pollution, and from the old ways of business. With American ingenuity, we can emerge from the crisis of global warming with a new energy economy that stimulates innovation, brings the family farm back to life, and creates more than 1 million jobs in America's farms and industries.

Last week, John Edwards proposed an ambitious plan to cut global warming pollution by 80 percent by 2050, invest in renewable energy, and use energy efficiency to meet growth in the demand for electricity. Today, he announced his plan to burn coal cleanly and store its emissions safely.

Coal is a major source of power in the United States, where it generates half of electricity. The U.S. and the rest of the world is likely to rely on coal for its energy needs for decades or longer. As used today, however, coal-fired power plants cause a third of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions and result in a hotter planet. Moreover, power companies are planning to build more than 150 coal-fired power plants in the next 25 years, a step that could lock in large increases in carbon dioxide emissions. [NRDC, 2007; Time, 10/2/2007; News and Observer, 10/23/2006]

While making large investments in renewable energy and efficiency, Edwards believes that America must also change how it uses its coal. Today, he called for an end to the construction of any new coal-burning power plants that lack the technology needed to capture their carbon dioxide emissions. Second, Edwards will jumpstart the means to store large amounts of carbon dioxide safely underground by investing a historic $1 billion a year in research and testing. He will also strengthen mine safety laws to ensure that coal is safe at every stage of the production process.

Creating A New Generation Of Coal Plants That Burn Cleanly & Store Carbon Safely
Utilities are planning to build more than 150 coal-fired power plants in the next 25 years. These plants will last for 60 years. Most will use conventional coal combustion technology that results in substantial greenhouse gas pollution and is difficult to retrofit as technology advances. As a result, the plants could lock in a huge stream of carbon dioxide pollution over their lifetimes, as much as 1.1 billion tons a year by 2030. However, there are alternatives. Coal gasification, a precursor to carbon capture technology, is already operational in Tampa and Indiana. Two large power companies, TXU and American Electric Power, recently announced plans to build experimental plants that can capture carbon dioxide. Some companies, including oil companies, have experience pumping it underground. [News and Observer, 10/23/ 2006; NRDC, 2007; Nat'l Energy Tech. Library, 2007; NYT, 3/15/2007 and 3/17/2007; McFarland, Herzog, & Jacoby, 2007]

John Edwards has outlined an aggressive plan to use energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy to reduce American reliance on foreign oil and cut greenhouse gas pollution. However, because coal will play a major role in meeting U.S. and worldwide energy needs for decades to come, Edwards believes that the U.S. must take the lead in finding ways to use coal without warming the planet. He will:

Ban the Construction of Coal Plants that Cannot Capture Carbon: Edwards will require that all new coal-fired plants be built with technology needed to capture carbon dioxide emissions. Plants can use integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology or other effective approaches. As a result, the plants built today will be able to permanently and safely store their carbon emissions tomorrow. In addition, Edwards will explore ways to address the carbon dioxide emitted by current power plants.
Make a Historic Commitment to Safe Carbon Storage: Although the underground storage of carbon dioxide holds great promise, more research and experience is needed in large-scale projects. By investing $1 billion a year from his New Energy Economy Fund, Edwards will accelerate the technology's progress and reduce its cost. He will test at least three large-scale efforts to capture, transport, and store carbon dioxide. He will also provide clarity for businesses by setting rules for capturing, transporting and storing carbon dioxide.
An Ambitious Plan To Achieve Energy Independence & Halt Global Warming Through A New Energy Economy
Last week, John Edwards called for America to embrace three great goals for this generation:

Halting Global Warming: Without change, greenhouse gas pollution will soon create a completely different planet. Within decades, tens of millions could be flooded out of their homes and hundreds of millions could starve. [Hansen, 2/26/2007; AP, 3/11/2007]
Cap and Reduce Global Warming Pollution: Edwards will cap the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases at levels determined by climate science. Caps will begin in 2010 and reduce pollution by 15 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050. Some pollution permits will be sold, raising resources needed to invest in renewable energy and the new energy economy.
Lead the World to a New Climate Change Treaty: All countries must join the fight against climate change. Edwards will share clean energy technology with cooperating nations and, if necessary, require minimum climate-change commitments in our trade deals.
Creating the New Energy Economy and 1 Million New Jobs: Energy technology can create an economic boom across the nation, including clean tech investments in Silicon Valley, jobs in renewable energy in rural America, and a revitalized manufacturing base and "green-collar" jobs.
Create the New Energy Economy Fund: Edwards will create a $13-billion-a-year fund to invest in creating the new energy economy. To raise the money, he will charge greenhouse gas polluters for emission permits and repeal subsidies for big oil companies.
Invest in Renewable Energy: Renewable energy like wind, solar power, biomass and ethanol are cleaner and cheaper than traditional sources of energy. Edwards will require their use to generate 25 percent of electricity by 2025 and expand the use of ethanol in cars. He will invest more resources in researching and encouraging these clean forms of energy.
Transform the American Auto Industry: Edwards will cut oil imports by 7.5 million barrels a day by 2025 through greater fuel economy and the use of ethanol and hybrid cars. He will invest $1 billion a year in helping U.S. automakers advance and apply the latest technology.
Open the Electricity Grid to Competition: Thousands of smaller producers of electricity could spark innovation and create cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable power. Edwards will support local renewable power and require utilities to buy it from homes and entrepreneurs.
Meeting the Demand for Electricity with Efficiency for the Next Decade: America enjoys large opportunities to use power more efficiently, typically at half the cost of producing more power. However, most power companies today profit from selling more power, not by meeting customers' needs. Edwards will reform utility payments, as California has already done, to encourage them to use efficiency to meet growing demand for power. He will invest in more efficient appliances, homes, and workplaces, help families weatherize their homes, and use "smart thermostats" to help families monitor and reduce their energy.
How You Can Take Action

Brian, creating events like this and making the effort to green them is not a "cop out"...i dont think anybody comes away thinking "well, we've DONE it! huzzah!"

i think it's about both finding out that we CAN continue to have events and be kind to the environment at the same time (as opposed to, say, living in stick houses and eating our own feces) AND about providing a social space where people can share and experience what it's like to be green, without overhauling their lifestyles...yet. you know how people are...it takes us a good, long, slow, cautious while to make changes. it's arguable that we don't have time for that, sure. but i dont see this event as detrimental to that effort.

My appologies for the length of the above Post on coal. From here on I will summarize and provide links to the full article.

I certainly don't have a problem with cool events like this. I though that this was a good oppertunity to bring up the reality that some of these things designed to have an impacted on global warming are insignificant. Not things like cutting down on plastic bottles, I was refering to greenhouse gasses. The carbon dioxcide capture scheme is a nice theory but it as yet has not been demonstrated to work. The amounts of emissions from coal plants is so enormous that most scientists do not beleive "carbon capture" from coal plants is feasible. Common sense will tell you that it is something dreamed up by those trying to make excuses for burning coal. Ethonal is a waste of time it costs more per gallon of ethonal to produce than you get out of it and it consumes valuble food growing areas, and it is making other farm related cost go up. Edwards is a lawyer and has no expertise, and apparently is getting bad avice, in energy related topics. He is just appealing to his base by trying to sound green. No doubt some of the things his is saying are puedent goals but I haven't heard him say anything about drilling for our own oil here at home for instance.

I too am sceptical about "capture schemes". So I tend to agree with your assessment!

Brian - I respectfully disagree about Edwards' energy platform. He has a very well thought out and in-depth plan to "achieve energy independence and stop global warming through a new energy economy."
http://johnedwards.com/issues/energy/new-energy-economy/

The League of Conservation Voters have stated that Edwards has the "most comprehensive global warming plan of any presidential candidate to date."

It's silly to argue that he is a lawyer with no expertise. Every campaign depends on advisors, and every candidate has a learning curve on a variety of issues. What does Mitt know about gun control? What does Rudy know about farm subsidies? What do Huckabee, Brownback and Tancredo (who doesn't believe in evolution) know about stem cell research? What do any of the chickenhawk Republican candidates know about war?

From what I have seen, Edwards has been putting forth relatively bold strategies (attacking corporate Democrats today for instance) that aren't based on some sort of litmus test, like every single Republican candidate out there.

Show me one Republican candidate's plan for energy independence. Giuliani has probably the most "liberal" energy policy of all the candidates based on a couple interviews, and it doesn't even warrant a mention on his official platform: http://www.joinrudy2008.com/index.php?section=2

So you disagree with Edwards on carbon capture. Are you looking for a candidate who will focus on energy independence, and will eliminate Edwards because of this? Does that mean you are a lock for Al Gore if he gets in the race?

Could you say you could vote for any Republican candidate, if energy independence, clean air and climate change meant anything to you as an issue? The answer is absolutely not, you would vote for a Republican for entirely different reasons, and be willing to ignore climate change and energy independence as issues for at least the next four years.

Today's STAR has a really great article about the kids who are the opening acts. It's the cover story to the Time Out section. The print story has great photos and a nice layout, but this will give you the gist:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/aug/23/harmonies/

Ha ! Al Gore, no I don't think so, I'm still hoping Bush will declare Marshal Law and stay in for another 4 years ! But seriously, I'm not too excited about any of the candidates, but I would probably go with Guiliani in a pinch, how about you Tyler how about voting republican for a change! Most candidates are not very bright when it comes to scientific knowlage, that's why they are politicians I guess. I don't disagree with Edwards carbon capture stance I just think that it is only an unproven theory and he seems to be touting as fact.

Hi Brian -

how about you Tyler how about voting republican for a change!

Well, actually for the eleven or so years prior to 2000, I was a registered Libertarian, usually voted a party ticket and occasionally voted for a Dem or Rep when I did my research.

But the current administration has completely polarized me, to where I very well may not vote for another Republican the rest of my life. And I guarantee you I am not the only one that feels that way.

On social issues, the GOP has swung far right, completely away from my beliefs - anti-gay, anti-women, anti-brown people. On environmental issues, the GOP has completely abandoned the earth and our communities by siding with the multinationals and practicing corporate welfare. On spending, the GOP practically invented the earmark, took it to a whole new level, and the debt they are putting future generations in is disgusting - who was the only President in the last fifty years to balance the budget and leave a surplus? On national defense, forget it - the GOP rubber stamped a God-awful war, and have supported it unceasingly, at the expense of securing our national security, such as ports, cargo, etc. On personal liberties and personal privacy, its a freaking joke what has been given up in the name of fighting terrorists.

And let's talk about 9/11 briefly - in the fall of 2001, Bush had a unique opportunity in history to positively change the planet forever. He had the support of all of the nations and all of the citizens. What did he do (with Rove and Cheney in his ear)? He demonized the Democrats as traitors and appeasers, and pre-emptively went into Iraq. Imagine what could have been if he had truly been a "uniter not a divider". What if he brought fresh water, food and education to the third world instead of bombs? What if he created a Manhattan project for energy to wean us off foreign oil? What if he truly maintained America's moral compass instead of making a mockery of it?

On every single issue I can think of, this President has been awful for America, and he has been followed lock step by all the GOP and a fair amount of Democrats. I see no reason whatsoever to vote GOP, and some reasons not to vote Dem.

If I vote Democratic, I do so with some hesitation, because in general, as MT will point out, they are part of the same corporate machine. But I still find Republicans are caught in the worst of scandals (bribery, vote rigging, sex) at a rate of maybe 10 to 1 over Democrats, despite trying to control every aspect of government from the executive and dept of justice on down.

So I know your nudging me a bit with a wink, but I find that what the GOP stands for (Fear, and not much else), is no way to run a country, and haven't earned a place at the table through smart governance.

I think you are exaggerating things quite a bit, I would like to go item by item and rebuke your commnts but I simply do not have the energy right now. Anyway it would probably just end up by somebody calling me a sock puppet or worse !

Hey Brian, you know I will go head-to-head anytime, and I won't be the one to call you a sock puppet! Have a great evening.

Thank you, Tyler, for the link to Edwards' in-depth plan to "achieve energy independence and stop global warming through a new energy economy." I did not know that the League of Conservation Voters has stated that Edwards has the "most comprehensive global warming plan of any presidential candidate to date."

Why don't we all agree to enjoy the event and support the local youth who will be putting themselves out there to open the concert?

Ohhh Phenom...Just in from the Locally Grown 2 Concert and wow, what a magical night. It was like one of those scenes in a movie where you think "I wish I lived in that town". Truly it was.
Highlights for me were:
Perla Batalia signing "Hallelujah" with her daughter Eva and her husband Claude Mann accompanying. Her voice is so rich and soulful/soulfilled -- the kind of depth that only dual-culturism holds.
Brett Dennen sang to the glow-in-the-dark hoolahoop then invited it on stage to dance with him and might I say the man and his glowing hoolahoop could dance! Then Brett hoolahooping --he's not half bad! He sang all the favs and made his witty comments, so clever with words.
It's so different to see him now than a couple of years back in Ojai when he first caught my attention when I was shopping at Rainbow Bridge. All I heard was this amazing voice that could easily belong to an African American woman belting out gospel. I followed the voice and found this white as white can be carrot-topped young man who swayed and danced to the music he sang. He was unabashedly Brett and between the profoundness of his lyrics and the upbeat tempo of his chords I was hooked.
He's changed now in some ways and I will always prefer Brett on his acoustic guitar. I am glad more people are getting to see him but he doesn't need bigger sound or a bigger show. He's the type of pure grace talent that just has to open his mouth.
The air also couldn't have been more divine, (thank Zaca for laying low), and it was the perfect temperature. And surprise!! Because there was some available seating even those with the cheap seats had a chance to sit as close as they could.
Oh. One more thing....the woman (forgive me for now knowing her name) who did sign language all night was also simply amazing. How she kept it up and stayed so fresh is beyond me. She alone was worth the admission price. I also learned sign language for hoolahoop! :)
For me this was the most magical night I've had this summer. Thanks Food for Thought, Marty and everyone else!!