sustainable style foundation*

With the majority of the students in the US and the world soon to be or already back to school, it's time for The Green Guide's annual publication of their survey to find the "greenest schools" in the US. The criteria set for the program involve not just the usual suspects of recycling programs and non-toxic cleaning products, but also LEED certification for buildings, campus green space, procurement and transportation policies, and electricity from renewable sources. These green schools don't just make the buildings healthier and cleaner; it seems that the best also incorporate education about the natural world, the community, and the students' place in it. The top ten schools (eleven, actually, since there were a couple ties) are:

1. Punahou School (private), Honolulu, HI
2. The Willow School (private), Gladstone, NJ
3. Desert Edge High School (public), Goodyear, AZ
4. East Clayton Elementary (public), Clayton, NC
5. Conserve School (private), Land O'Lakes, WI
6. Ross School (private), East Hampton, New York
7. Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center (public), Somerville, MA
8. Clackamas High School (public), Clackamas, OR (tied for 8th place)
9. Washburn Elementary School (public), Washburn, WI (tied for 8th place)

There was a good piece on last Friday's Talk of the Nation on NPR about the benefits of eating local food. Brian Halweil, author of "Eat Here: Reclaiming Homegrown Pleasures in a Global Supermarket" is one of the panelists, along with Jennifer Wilkins, a Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow and Senior Extension Associate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University. Their conclusion: eating local is almost always the sustainably-preferable choice. Because it doesn't have to travel or be shipped far, it can be picked at the peak of freshness, insuring that it tastes better, is better for you, and better for the planet. The program is worth a listen and is available here. [NPR]

"Perusing the crossroads of style and sustainability" is the catch phrase of FiftyRX3, a blog by New York designer Jill Danyelle who has pledged to wear 50% recycled/refashioned clothing for a year. Yeah, we've showcased her on here before, and I see her on lots of other sites now. But the project is just SO COOL! The blog has commentary and some great pics of her creations. Hello! I LOVE IT!!! I'm at about 95% recycled (second-hand) these days. Get lots of great things at Value Village and Goodwill, and great designer stuff at my favorite cosignment shop here in Seattle, Le Frock. As far as furniture goes, I'm all about second hand there too. My favorite spot, besides Value Village, these days is Collective. I could seriously live there and be perfectly happy.

September is right around the corner, and we're happy to be hosting another Cocktails for a Cause event here in Seattle. It's scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, at The Palm Room at 5336 Ballard Ave NW from 6 to 8 pm.

For those who don't know, Cocktails for a Cause is the Seattle Chapter's monthly event that highlights the good work of a fellow area non-profit with an evening of cocktails, music and fun. Each event features a different "cause-mo" cocktail of the night, and donations will go to benefit the featured organization. This month, we're happy to be partnering with the Northwest Center, who, since 1965, has helped children & adults with disabilities reach their full potential through programs of education, rehabilitation and work opportunity. They're doing great work, so we invite anyone in the Seattle area to come join us for a cocktail to learn more about their efforts.

There'll be live entertainment from DJ Patrick Napper, a no-host bar and munchies; donations for the evening's libations and food go to support the Northwest Center, so we hope to see many of you there!

OK, I'm a little behind on this one...but I just got back from Maui! Just saw this week's Project Runway in which the designers had to use recycled materials. SO SSF! I can't say I agree with the judges decision at all but was glad to see some sustainability sneak into PR. Several of the designs were stunning. SSF actually did a project like this at Seattle Central Community College's Apprarel Design Program. I wish I had some pictures of the students outfits because ALL of them were stunning: a tent turned into a J-Lo gown, a sleeping bag turned into an Chanel inspired suit, etc. The whole thing reminds me of Season 2, Episode 9 in which the designers had to use plants and flowers to construct their designs, also good stuff. I'd love see more sustainability themes on PR in the future...maybe even something delving into social issues.

Today I did my first scuba dive...in Maui of all places!!! We went with Lahaina Divers, a local dive company. They did a great job introducing all us newbies to the ABCs of diving and then we were off for our first dive. After passing a few short tests, we started our first of two dives. Not 30 seconds into the dive and a HUGE giant sea tortoise swam right over us. REALLY amazing. From there it was lots of beautiful coral and many, many species of fish. Being a rower with a big set of lungs I was the first one up from the dive. Our 2nd dive was closer to shore over an old pier that had fallen during a hurricane. The town deciced to leave the broken pieces of pier in the water to assist coral development and provide habitat for fish spieces. A great conservation story but also awesome for divers. I was lucky enought to see two more tortoises and many other species of fish.