Eco-chic and übermodern Take a tour of the most innovative ideas in environmentally-friendly home design at the Green Home, open this month for public viewing.
November 2005 | Whole Life News
Seeing Green in the Hollywood Hills
At the Chuda residence, every day is earth day. Four years ago, world renowned environmental architect Jim Chuda and his wife Nancy, cofounder of the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC), set out to create an all-natural home using the safest materials on the market. The result? The Green Home, a case study for the most innovative concepts in green design.
To build their eco-palace, the Chudas hand-picked a team of earth-friendly designers and secured product sponsorship from over 50 conscious vendors, including Herman Miller, Whole Foods and FusionDesign. The newly-completed holistic home features a host of innovative green details like floors of cork and bamboo, a bed fashioned from recycled wood, countertops made from lava stone, energy friendly appliances and plenty of natural lighting. From the healthy food in the cabinets to the hybrid in the driveway, the Green Home combines function with ecological care.
“I realized that an entirely green home—inside and out—would be the epitome of our lives’ work in environmental activism,” says Nancy Chuda. Located under the Hollywood sign, between Humphrey Bogart’s old abode and one of Madonna’s former houses, this precedent setting structure waits patiently for public viewing from Oct. 28 through Nov. 13. Take a tour—you’re sure to be green with envy. For ticket and schedule info, call 323.769.5114. All proceeds from ticket sales go to benefit CHEC (checnet.org). —Brooke Hadley
Libertinis, Anyone?
Your drinking buddies. They’re always up for a post-work cocktail or a pitcher during the game, and no matter how many times you step up to the karaoke mike, they never roll their eyes. But that time you proposed a toast wishing Dubya a swift journey to the infernal pits of Hades? Yeah, that didn’t go over too well.
For a truly happy happy hour, wax political with likeminded lefties during the monthly gathering of LA’s democratic drinking club, Drinking Liberally. The local chapter of this nationally active org was newly re-launched in September, and now draws hundreds of left-leaning Angelinos for once-a-month cocktails and conversation at rotating locations throughout Downtown, Hollywood and the Westside. So go ahead, throw some alcohol on your inner fire-breathing liberal and burn the bar down—you’re in the company of friends. Get on the mailing list or check out the upcoming event schedule at drinkingliberally.org. —Eliza Thomas
Drizzle on That Extra-Virgin
Feeling a tad guilty about your overly generous tippling at the olive oil cruet? Don’t. New findings reported by the Monell Chemical Senses Center indicate extra-virgin olive oil may be good for more than just finely dressing a salad. Monell researchers recently discovered that the golden elixir contains a health-boosting chemical they named “oleocanthal,” described as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent that mimics ibuprofen.
According to the Philadelphia-based Center, four tablespoons of olive oil a day confers about 10 percent of the recommended ibuprofen dose for adult pain relief. So it won’t cure a headache—but, according to head researcher Dr. Paul Breslin, the premium stuff may well provide some of the long-term benefits of repeated ibuprofen use, including potentially warding off of Alzheimer’s.
Monell’s findings appear to bolster the popular Mediterranean diet and its liberal use of olive oil, which has long been associated with decreased risk of stroke, heart disease, breast and lung cancers. So drizzle away! —Sara Nuss-Galles
Eww de New Car
Your brand-spanking new Prius may be helping you offset your environmental impact, but it could also be harming your health. Studies show that the unmistakable “new-car” scent we sniff with such glee when rolling away from the lot is, in fact, a carcinogenic concoction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leaching from chemicals in the car’s glues, paints, vinyl and plastics. L’eau de new car can trigger headaches, sore throats, drowsiness and nausea, and doesn’t dissipate until after six months of ownership. Car manufacturers have known about the harmful effects of VOCs for years, but the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, a group including auto giants like Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi, has finally mobilized against the problem, agreeing to cut cabin levels of 13 noxious compounds by 2007. With “low-VOC” poised to become a key selling point for the new Japanese models, it’s likely that rival US and European manufacturers will be forced to clean up their acts. —Sarika Chawla
Too Cool For Fuel
With prices at the pump continuing to gauge a hole in the economy, alternative energy just keeps getting trendier. For evidence, tune in to Coolfuel Road Trip, the first mainstream major market television show to star green energy. The premise: follow hip, hot, Aussie adventurer Sean Murphy and his ineffable pooch Sparky as they cross the country on a 16,000 mile road trip powered strictly by “coolfuel,” i.e. any non-fossil fuel energy source. Cruise with the dynamic duo on a solar canoe, a green Hummer or a prop plane powered by corn whiskey. Check out the cribs of celebrity green energy activists like Ed Begley Jr.—who helps power his home by pedaling stationary bikes—or September WLT cover personality Daryl Hannah, at her alt-energy powered Colorado Ranch. Then, lest ye be called a poser, go out and put rhetoric into action with the real-world applicable tips and info provided at Coolfuelroadtrip.com. —ET
Mercury Rising in Coastal Women
Hurricanes aren’t the only peril of seaside living. Recent EPA analysis has determined that coast-dwelling women have twice the amount of mercury in their blood than their inland counterparts.
Why? Coastal women tend to consume more seafood, and years of pollution from coal-burning plants and waste incinerators have contaminated the aquatic food chain, leading to a fish population chock full of nasties like nitrates and Red No. 3. In an effort to curb mercury consumption, environmental nonprofits Oceana and the Natural Resources Defense Council are lobbying supermarkets to post warnings on the types of fish that are highest in the neurotoxin. Besides limiting your intake of predator fish like tuna and swordfish, you can help limit marine contamination by disposing of mercury-laden thermometers and fluorescent bulbs at facilities equipped to handle hazardous waste. See oceana.org/mercury and nrdc.org/mercury for safety information and action guides. —Jessica Ridenour
No Pet Left Behind
Most pet owners will agree: Feathered and four-legged friends are family members too. In fact, many victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita refused to leave their flooded homes because rescue shelters forbade animals, essentially forcing evacuees to choose between their own safety and the safety of their pets.
To make sure no California pet-lovers will ever have to face such a terrible choice, US Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) recently introduced the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act. The PETS act would require emergency preparedness authorities to include plans for accommodating pets and service animals in future disaster plans, so Sparky won’t be left to fend for himself. Show your support for this Act, volunteer or donate to the Humane Society at hsus.org. —JR
Fill ‘er Up with Unleaded
Is your child’s daily PB&J laced with a heavy dose of lead? Test her lunchbox, warns the Center for Environmental Health (CEH). Their recent study found that the soft, vinyl lunchboxes popular with today’s pre- and primary school set are packed with alarmingly high lead levels. The disturbing discovery prompted the CEH to slap a suit against Toys “R” Us, Warner Bros. and Walgreen’s, among other companies. Favorite lunchbox characters like Superman, Tweety Bird and Powerpuff Girls were identified as leading lead-loaded culprits, with Fox Kid’s Angela Anaconda packing more than 90 times the legal limit. For testing info and photos of the identified lunchboxes, go to cehca.org/lunchboxes, and in the meantime, stay safe by swapping your child’s vinyl lunch sack for a reusable cloth bag. —Jennifer Summers
A Breasted Interest
If jumping out of a plane is an exhilarating feeling, why not get a rush and raise money for breast cancer research at the same time? That’s exactly what 151 women did when they set a world record in formation skydiving Sept. 30 in Perris, Calif.
Mallory Lewis founded the event, “Jump for the Cause,” in homage to her late mother, puppeteer Shari Lewis, who died from cancer in 1998. “It was the most creative way I could think of to raise money for breast cancer,” said Lewis, an experienced skydiver. Lamb Chop, America’s favorite sock puppet and event mascot, rode tucked in the flight suit of lead jumper Kate Cooper, right next to her breast, of course. It took 18 jumps with 151 women from 24 states and 15 countries to hit the new record, which raised nearly $500,000 for the City of Hope Cancer Center. View spectacular photos of the moment at jumpforthecause.com. —Judy Seckler
Breaking the Chains of Modern Slavery
As reported in our January issue, the appalling practice of human trafficking and forced labor is alive and well in California. Until recently, the victim had to be physically harmed or threatened in order to convict a perpetrator, which left open a shocking number of legal loopholes. But on Sept. 21, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the California Trafficking Victims’ Protection Act, AB22, the most comprehensive state legislation in the nation against human trafficking and modern-day slavery. California, in particular, suffers from these crimes because of its large immigrant population and its focus on agricultural, mechanical and service industries. AB22, along with the related SB180 bill, criminalizes the act and makes it possible for victims to claim restitution. It also creates a privilege clause between the victim and counselor to build trust between the two, and establishes the first statewide task force to improve response and public awareness. For more info and to help combat human trafficking and forced labor, visit humantrafficking.org. —SC
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