A huge thank-you to everyone in Seatte who joined us last night at FenonmenA for SSF's first Cocktails for a Cause. A good time was had by all as we helped raise awareness (and raised a glass) for the very deserving Dress for Success. Their mission is to advance low-income women's economic and social development and to encourage self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention, and they respond to the needs of our community by providing programs that help economically disadvantaged women acquire jobs, retain their new positions and succeed in the mainstream workplace. They do amazing work every day, and touch countless lives everywhere they go. We hope they keep up their fantastic work!
The "cause-mo" featured drink of the evening (pictured at left) was Windfall Winery's AP wine.
So this is my first blog entry, ever. Choosing to start out my career first blog with Al Gore's film - An Inconvenient Truth - is a pretty hefty topic, but here's the deal: go see it. Go now. Don't wait. While explaining the daunting crisis that Global Warming presents through a presentation he has perfected by going from city to city across the world, former Vice President Al Gore still provides hope and practical steps that we each can take to make a difference. But as one can expect, we have to act now. It was so inspiring to check out this film and know that it has held a place in the box office results that we could have only dreamt of when we started SSF four years ago. Our vision to use pop culture and media to educate and inspire everyone that that can make a difference through the lifestyle choices they make is held evident in this film. So, I guess it is appropriate that this first blog entry of mine really brings home what our mission is.
SSF is happy to introduce its latest program hosted by the SSF-Seattle chapter. Cocktails for a Cause is a monthly event hosted at FenomenA that will help raise awareness about the good work of area nonprofits through an evening of cocktails, music and fun. Through networking with others who share the passion and dedication to Puget Sound non-profit efforts, we can all work together towards our common goal: increasing the well being of mankind and our environment.
Apologies for the relative lack of new stuff on the site this past week; we're busy moving the SSF office. We'll be sharing a space with the fabulous Copernican Design in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood -- note our new address (also available on the 
I already think Surfur's Path is one of the coolest mags out there (they were one of our 2005 OSSA Award nominees after all). Just ran across Issue 53 which, as usual, has all sorts of great articles on what's up in the surf world regarding sustainability. Diggin Surfers Against Sewage and of course SurfAid. One thing that caught me this time was Grean Wave Awards. Not only does Surfer's Path print on 100% post-consumer paper with non-GMO soy-based inks, they have the Green Wave Awards. SO Cool! Time for me to take up surfing.
OK, I promise this will be the last blog entry on a magazine...well close to the last anyway. I am COMPLETELY addicted to SEED Magazine. And with a motto like "Science is Culture" it is easy to see why this conservation biologist/design junky environisto is hooked. This particular issue is chock full of juicy sustainable headlines, from the "tear-outable" hybrid cheetsheet to an article on climate change, a huge fold out - "2006 State of the Planet", a great feature on the outlook for Costa Rican rainforests, an out of this world photo editorial on seven amazing places that will be affected by climate change (e.g. Borneo, Venice, Vermont, etc.), and finally a great back and forth between the reigning eco-queen Laurie David and Stephen Schneider, professor and co-director fo the Center for Environmental Science and Policy at Stanford.
Yes, I know this is old news but I just have to bring it up again. The good peeps at Global Green have partnered up with Brad Pitt to bring a little attention and creativity to the future of New Orleans. Per Global Green's webssite: "the Sustainable Design Competition for New Orleans is a design challenge that combines Global Green USA's commitment to green affordable housing, sustainable cities, and climate solutions that work for communities, with Brad Pitt's passion for intelligent architecture and determination to combat inequity". Um...NICE! Looking forward to seeing the entries.
That's my boy. George Clooney has done it again...he stepped up and out to make a statement on an issue he is passionate about. At SSF, we're all about using the power of pop culture to make the world a better place and there are few things more effective than having a celebrity speak out to bring attention to an issue. In this case, George teamed up with Million Voices for Darfur in DC regarding the genecide situation in Darfur. You go George!
In keeping with our recent green mag theme around here, Wired has embraced green living with their latest issue. Al Gore graces the cover (they talk about his "resurrection" since nearly becoming President in 2000) and inside, among others, is an article by SSF pal Alex Steffen (head-honcho over at WorldChanging) about how technology is dragging environmentalism out of the anti-business, anti-consumer stone age, which is very worthwhile reading. Also included is a piece about the "emerging tribes of neo-green consumers" who are realizing the power of conscious consumption and "voting with your dollars," which, while not a revolutionary thought, (we've been preaching it here for almost three years) is good to see in a big publication like Wired.
Just ran across Greencar Magazine at the bookstore recently. Really impressed with how advanced the design of hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles has come...even surprised me. Worth tracking down at your favorite book/magazine store.
So today's the big day, and lots of sites who aren't usually all over sustainability are celebrating out there in internet land. Here's a quick wrap-up of some of the Earth Day-inspired info.