The Holidays are Green

But you can make them greener…

Naturally, by buying your tree from local, sustainable or eco-certified Christmas tree farms like Yule Tree, Santa & Sons, Silver Mountain, or Holiday Farms.  Generally farms plant one to three trees for every one that is cut.  Post holiday bliss,  find a tree recycler at  www.earth911.com.

For Hanukkah, be conscious about your choice of illumination. Classic paraffin candles are often made from petroleum byproducts.  Thus air contaminants in the fumes are same as substances found in paint and varnish removers.  Don’t inhale, even if gradma’s kvetching makes you want to get high!  Instead, use natural choices such as beeswax and soy… healthier for you, your family, and your environment. 

For any holiday occasion…wrap your gifts with natural burlap or linen - try an organic-herb Wreath or Bush – and hang LED lights which are 90% more efficient, emit less heat, and last longer than traditional Holiday lights.

Lastly, if Holiday gift-shopping eludes you, and buying your loved ones a Green Home is out of the budget… come to this weekend’s CONSCIOUS HOLIDAY GIFT BAZAAR! !

When:
Saturday, December 12 from 10:00am to 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 13 from 10:00am to 6:00pm

Where:   LAX  HILTON
5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles

Gifts for the holidays, gifts for the home, and gifts for the soul!  

Happy Holidays ~  Be well, be green ~ Karen Nation, EcoBroker

New Season of “LIVING WITH ED”

Today’s exemplary, TV home to grow-up in is Ed & Rachelle’s right here in Los Angeles!   As we all struggle to adjust to these eco-conscious & financially-conscious times, The Begley household is an inspirational and candid example of green-home living!   Unlike Beaver Cleaver and his mom’s inefficient kitchen appliances… BOOO.   Or The Bundy’s toxic air from cigarettes and hair spray… BLAH.  And The Sopranos who doubtfully recycle all that trash… NOOO.   Planet Green’s “Living with Ed” not only teaches families across the nation how to live greener, it explores conflicting family dynamics like in real life.  And it’s funny, funny, funny! 

Follow new episodes of “Living with Ed” on channel 286 if you have Direct TV, 194 on Dish Network, or 218 on cable.  The only network dedicated to eco-programs…it’s a must watch!

Be well, be green ~ Karen Nation, EcoBroker

What makes my business “green?”

People often ask me how I run my “green” business…. Well, in addition to being a licensed EcoBroker and Certified Green Building Professional, I also exercise eco-friendly business practices.  These practices are important to my clients when choosing their real estate agent.  I hope everyone will implement some simple basics in their business too…

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

1. Go paperless!  Use email and e-fax instead of paper fax, and try an e-signature program like “DocuSign” which eliminates the need for printing in order to sign contracts by allowing signature online with the click of a mouse.  Clients appreciate the convenience of this tool… the Planet appreciates your kindness to trees.
2. Create a “recycle only” bin in your office, copy room, etc…
3. Send CD’s (old printer drivers, software) to the appropriate recycling facilities. Please do not put them in the trash or regular recycling bin.
4. Use copy and print paper with post-consumer content.
5. For stationary, try alternatives like Ellie Pooh, or Plantable paper.
6. For marketing/ advertising, utilize a green printing company like Greener Printer, Got Green Printer, or Responsibly Printing.
7. Stay off water bottles by using reusable glasses and cups at the office, or bringing your own stainless-steel bottle.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

1. Be aware (or beware) of “phantom load” electric use… Cut electricity bills in half by turning off printers, copiers, and computers at night!  Even in “sleep” mode they suck… energy, that is.
2. Change light bulbs to CFLs in your desk-lamp, and most-used workspace at home too.
3. Offset carbon and save fuel by carpooling to work or to meetings…preferably in hybrid or bio-fuel transportation.
4. Of course a bike is ideal when possible… Born to be wild!

ECO SERVICES

1. Most services have green options. Consider a solar-powered/ noise-pollution-free gardener, green contractor or designer, or eco-minded exterminator.
2. Have your office cleaned with eco-friendly products.
3. Have your suits cleaned at environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaners.
4. Choose like-minded, environmentally-responsible employees when hiring.

For more “green business” tips contact me at kn@karennation.com … and please post your favorites here too!

Be well, be green ~ Karen Nation, EcoBroker

Abbot Kinney Festival

A quarter century tradition in Venice Beach, the 25th annual Abbot Kinney Festival is a must-do!  I will be there Sunday, September 27th, from 10 to 6 enjoying hundreds of vendors, 5 stages of live music, food courts, ideas from the “Green Scene,”  and meeting colorful Venice locals on famous Abbot Kinney Blvd.  Ride up to the bike-valet and join the fun!

Be well, be green ~ Karen Nation

Earth Friendly Moving

by Karen Nation

People seem to move in September, whether it be off to college, returning from their summer home, or buying/ selling before the holidays begin… Whatever the reason I highly recommend  “Earth Friendly Moving” otherwise know as “Rent a Green Box.”   It’s brilliant!  Ask me how to receive a $50 gift certificate and list of green-moving tips.

Owner Spencer Brown has changed the way we move for the greener!  With recycled, laundry-detergent bottles made into boxes… boxes with handles and snap shut lids that require no unfolding, engineering, or taping.  Whew, no cardboard!  This saves you packing time (and also money on movers), who by the way love how much easier these are to lift, stack, and move. 

My favorite part is they deliver “Green-Boxes” right to your door, and pick them up when you’re done on a fleet of eco-trucks powered by waste vegetable oil and bio-fuel… Talk about service!    Not to mention zero-waste, environmentally friendly, and no hassle!   So save a tree (many trees) and MOVE GREEN…

Karen Nation (310) 701-9778

Architecture for Green Living

Have you been waiting and hoping and dreaming for a house out of Dwell magazine that’s actually affordable?!   Then don’t miss my new listing at 3774 Ashwood Avenue! 

This 2009 modern is a natural beauty…  A light-filled Architectural on one of the most desirable tree-lined streets in Mar Vista, just blocks from Venice Beach. Architect Neil Prunier and Green Designer, Shayna Prunier of EcoConsulting LA, have built this home with respect for the environment and a penchant for style.  For more details, check out www.3774AshwoodAvenue.com

The long list of green home features include radiant-heat floors, tankless water heater, dual flush toilets, recycled denim insulation, quartz countertops, recycled glass-mosaic tiles, zeroVOC paints and finishes, EnergyStar rated windows and roof, and other energy-efficent features. 

This is a home sure to please environmentalists and archtictural enthusiasts alike!   Showings by appointment,  310.701.9778.

Be well, be green ~ Karen Nation, EcoBroker

Water Wise Expo

Wow, standing room only at the Mar Vista, Wise-Water-Use-Expo Tuesday night!  Thank you Sherri Akers, Joseph Treves, and Mar Vista Community Council’s Green Commitee who presented an evening full of information that was everything BUT soggy!  I mean, take a moment to think about it… we would DIE without water!  So why aren’t we treating it like a precious commodity?  If you haven’t heard, we have a serious shortage of “potable”! 

Kevin O’Donnell of Thread Collaborative (and Al Gore’s “The Inconvenient Truth”) displayed embarassing charts on how USA consumes the most H2O, and OUR glamorous state uses more than Texas and Florida combined. Gulp!  This is mostly due to California’s livestock and argriculture. Sadly growers have limited water and are forced to cut trees and let crops die!  Do you want to eat guacamole with your chips?  Or be wasteful hosing off your driveway? 

If you see careless folks whose sprinklers are missing the yard and leaving a babbling brook down your boulevard… report them!  Okay fine, ask nicely a couple times, but if they insist on watering the concrete like a chia pet, then call 800-dial-DWP. 

Pamela at G3 Gardening encourages home-owners not to have lawns with greedy grass, but planting drought-tolerant “natives” instead. Especially in the front yard where it’s just for looks, and is costing too much money and precious resources to upkeep. Pamela also recommends investing about $300 to have your driveway “cut,”  creating ”permeable paving” so rain run-off doesn’t wash into the ocean. My favorite idea… edible gardens!  Put your water use to better use and grow your own food.  Check out Mar Vista’s Green Garden Showcase on YouTube.

Paula Daniels of Public Works (former President of “Heal the Bay”) promised a city program that trains gardeners how to plant & maintain drought tolerant landscapes. Fabulous idea!  They are the keepers of our parks and gardens, so certainly should be the champions of water conservation. I mean, who are the real city planners? 

Councilman Bill Rosendahl spoke about his garden. He has chickens!  He grows his own eggs! Chickens are scavengers and eat your compost which reduces waste!  He didn’t say much about being water-wise, but was entertaining nonetheless!  P.S. Don’t get Roosters, your neighbors will hate you.

Ed Begley Jr sprinkled us with some laughs. One philosophy he shared: “What’s as good as having a lot of money? Not needing a lot of money.”  Try to wash that one down without a glass of drought!  Ed Begley questions whether he is “green” or just a “cheap skate.”  The wise man grows his own food, saves water & resources, rides his bike, and eats low on the food chain… all “good for your bottom line.”

Questions and comments from the Mar Vista community touched on gray water systems, city cooperation with green building, and ‘de-salinization’.  Guess you had to be there.

Well don’t miss this Saturday’s “Go Solar” Neighborhood Mixer (July 25th, 6:00 to 9:00) at 12024 Venice Blvd.

Be well, be green (be water-wise) ~ Karen Nation

Karen Nation in LA CONFIDENTIAL

Check out Conan O’Brien on the cover, and yours truly inside of this month’s LA CONFIDENTIAL magazine. I’m honored to be featured as one of LA’s “Power Players” in Real Estate, and relish the opportunity to spread the word about green homes!  If you’re looking for a realtor who shares your values, I’m at Teles Properties (310) 701-9778 or kn@KarenNation.com
Be well, be green!

Venice Eco-Fest 2009

 

Looking for something green to do this weekend?  How about the Venice Eco-Fest…Venice Beach Music and Arts Eco-Festival!

Saturday June 27th, 2009 from 10am-6pm

Venice Beach Recreation area at Windward Avenue & Ocean Front Walk.

Check out over 150 eco-conscious and educational exhibitors with green home products, services, and information to share, a solar-powered sound stage with live music and dancing, the Fat Tire Beer Garden, a cooperative community art exhibit, an international vegetarian food court and an interactive children’s and family art and play area.

For info go to www.VeniceEcoFest.org.  Hope to see you there! 

 

Be well, be green ~ Karen Nation, EcoBroker

Giving Green Shelter

As we green our homes and our lives in Los Angeles, charitable organizations are doing the same around the world. Please donate a little green love  or volunteer for an exciting experience with one of these three… What they’ll give back to you is “priceless.” 

CARE:  a humanitarian organization delivering aid to survivors of war & natural disaster, while fighting global poverty & hunger through education, clean water initiatives, and natural resource protection.

Get a gift for CARE-ing… Natural health advisor and speaker on holistic living, Rose Cole (CHHP, CNC), recently co-authored “AUDACIOUS AGING” with Deepak Chopra, Dr. Christian Northrup, Andrew Weil, and other global influentials. This anthology which redefines vitality and promotes “thriving instead of surviving” is available for $29.95 at bookstores, but all copies sold at http://www.wellnesswithrose.com/audaciousaging/  will donate 100% of the proceeds to CARE. Great book, great cause!  

 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds to build houses in partnership with families in need, and has built more than 300,000.  Volunteer with their Global Village program which helps build affordable housing around the world.  Or their Women Build program which teaches construction skills alongside other women, and puts them into action.

You can also utilize their partner, The Reuse Network, for deconstruction of your own house which limits waste when building or remodeling.  Then visit their Home Improvement Store in Gardena that sells used home furnishings and building materials to the public. Materials donated by retail businesses, contractors, individuals like you, and other organizations are sold at 50% or more below retail value. Nice!

 

GLOBAL GREEN’S  LEED-accredited staff in Santa Monica spearheads applying green technology to schools and affordable housing projects while advancing groundbreaking solar, green building and energy efficiency legislation in California, as well as nationwide.  Your contribution or involvement with Global Green will support efforts to rebuild a green New Orleans, combat climate change, create sustainable communities, and promote access to clean water as a global human right.

You can also be on the frontlines with Global Green by becoming an e-activist!  E-activists spread the word to their personal networks about the things Global Green feels are important.

I’m participating in all three, and hope you will too!

Be well, be green ~ Karen Nation